4 HAPPY TH OF JULY June 25, 2019 www.broadcasteronline.com Broadcaster Press 7 Safety First When Handling Fireworks Days at the beach. Family trips to the ice cream parlor. Vacations. These are just a few of the things that evoke the spirit of summer, a time of year when school is out and everyone seems to exhale a little and enjoy the warm weather. Awe-inspiring fireworks displays also come to mind when imagining summer. Whether it’s the Fourth of July or town gatherings along a local waterfront, fireworks displays are a big part of many people’s summers. Unfortunately, the potential for accidents and injuries is high when fireworks are involved, particularly when displays aren’t left to the professionals. The Consumer Product Safety Commission notes that, on average, 280 people per day visit emergency rooms with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July 4th holiday. More than 53 percent of fireworks-related injuries in 2017 were burns. Fireworks are always best left to the professionals, and many communities have criminalized the use of fireworks by amateurs. But many people still light fireworks, and those that do should follow these safety precautions. • Never let kids handle fireworks. Fireworks, even sparklers, should never be given to children. The National SAFE KIDS campaign notes that sparklers burn at 2,000 F, which is hot enough to cause third-degree burns. So while they might seem like harmless symbols of summer, sparklers pose a significant threat to youngsters. • Follow directions. Fireworks come with detailed directions for a reason, and that’s to keep users safe. Strictly adhere to these directions and go over them with anyone who intends to light fireworks. • Never use fireworks indoors. Fireworks are for outdoor use only. If it rains, do not try to light fireworks indoors and then throw them outside before they go off. • Make sure spectators keep a safe distance. Do not light fireworks until all spectators are out of range should something go awry. • Recognize that fireworks are not toys. They might be a marvel, but fireworks are not toys. As a result, they should never be aimed or thrown at another person, nor should they be lit sure to direct them away from people, homes, dry leaves, and flammable materials. Fireworks are best left to the professionals. Consumers who insist on lighting their own should only do so with the utmost caution. Metro Creative Connection Did You Know? Why is Independence Day Celebrated on July 4th? The Continental Congress declared its independence from Great Britain on July 2, 1776. If that date raises an eyebrow, it should. Independence Day in the United States has long been celebrated on July 4th, which would seem to be two days late. But upon closer examination, it seems Americans are not really celebrating their independence two days later than they should be. According to the National Constitution Center, the Continental Congress approved a resolution declaring its independence from Great Britain on July 2. However, a document still needed to be drafted to explain the decision to the general public. Such a document was already in the works, but it took or launched from a body part. • Do not attempt to reignite malfunctioning fireworks. Attempting to reignite malfunctioning fireworks can lead to serious injury. • Light fireworks on smooth, flat surfaces. When lighting fireworks, do so only on smooth, flat surfaces, making two days for the men of Congress to agree on a final version. The resulting document, known as the Declaration of Independence, was sent to John Dunlap, an Irish printer who served under George Washington during the American Revolutionary War, who subsequently printed roughly 200 broadsides. Still, the Declaration of Independence was not read to the public until July 8, 1776, when Colonel John Nixon did so in Philadelphia on what is now known as Independence Square. It was nearly a month later, on August 2, 1776, when most members of the Continental Congress actually signed the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says that many parents are unaware that common sparklers can burn at temperatures between 1,200 and 2,000 F or more depending on the fuel and oxidizer used. That is hot enough to melt some metals and can cause third-degree burns. Despite this, sparklers are commonly handed out to children at celebrations without anyone ad- vising on proper safety use. The American Academy of Ophthalmology says sparklers cause 27 percent of all fireworks-related injuries. Parents may want to look for safer options for kids, like noisemakers used during New Year’s celebrations. Confetti, water guns and balloons also can be relatively safe ways for children to participate in July 4th fun. Metro Creative Connection Metro Creative Connection 4th of July! Happy Mart Marine 1122 W. Main, Vermillion • 605-624-3814 PPY D HA VE A SAFE AN HA 4TH OF JULY Vermillion 525 West Cherry Street • Vermillion, SD 57069 605.624.5574 Have a Safe Holiday! HERREN • SCHEMPP BUILDING SUPPLY 402 East Main St. Vermillion, SD 57069 605.624.4466 • www.koberfuneralhome.com Vermillion~605-624-7244 888-624-2058 605-624-2058 1000 W. Cherry St. • Vermillion, SD www.herrenschempp.com Yankton~605-689-2800 Have a WONDERFUL CELEBRATING HOME OF OFHOMEFREE FREE HOME CELEBRATING HOME CELEBRATING THETHE& THETHETHEOF THE FREE CELEBRATING THE FREEOF THE During this season of this season of celebration and During this season of Duringcelebration and remembrance, remembrance, celebration and remembrance, SAFE During this season of celebration and remembrance, my agency is to help protectproudAmerican Dream. my agency is your your American Dream. my agency is proudproud to help protectto help protect your American Dream. my agency is proud to help protect your American Dream. th of July! 4 CELEBRATING THE HOME OF THE FREE Chad Agent Agent Smidt, Agent Chad During this season ofChad Smidt,Smidt, Chad Smidt, Agent During this celebration and remembrance, Bus: (605) 624-2025 (605) 624-2025 Bus: Bus: (605) 624-2025 season of proud to help protect your American Dream. Bus: (605) 624-2025 my agency is 112 St, Vermillion 112 W Main 112 W MainW Main St, Vermillion St, Vermillion celebration and 112 W Main St, Vermillion chadsmidtagency.com chadsmidtagency.com chadsmidtagency.com remembrance, chadsmidtagency.com Access Anytime: Access Anytime: Access Anytime: Access Anytime: my agency is 1-800-MYAMFAM 1-800-MYAMFAM (800-692-6326) (800-692-6326) 1-800-MYAMFAM (800-692-6326) 1-800-MYAMFAM (800-692-6326) proud to help protect your American Dream. Chad Smidt, Agent American American Family Mutual American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. & Its Operating Companies, Family Mutual Insurance Insurance Company,Operating Operating Companies, Company, S.I. & Its S.I. & Its Companies, American Family American American American Family Insurance Company, Insurance Company, S.I. & Its Operating Companies, Family Insurance Company, Family Mutual Insurance Company, 6000 Parkway, Parkway,WI 53783 WI 53783 Rev.Madison, WI 53783 008897 – Rev. 1/19 Madison, Insurance Company, American American Parkway, 1/19 Rev. 1/19 ©2016 – 6000 American American Madison,6000Family008897 – 008897 – ©2016 – 1042327110423271 ©2016 – 10423271 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 008897 – Rev. 1/19 ©2016 – 10423271 Bus: (605) 624-2025 112 W Main St, Vermillion 5 W Cherry St • Vermillion, SD • 624-4444 CRWS Wakonda, SD 605-267-2088 Have a Safe & Happy 4th of July! 201 W. Cherry, Vermillion SD www.broadcasteronline.com 605-624-4429 1205 CARR STREET • VERMILLION • 605.670.0471 BlainesBodyShop@gmail.com