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Firefighters say 'careful' with those fireworks By Joanna Collins Before lighting fuses over the holiday weekend, fireworks fanatics should make sure they know the laws and safety recommendations for their area. Last year fireworks caused 134 fires and 33 injuries in Oregon, according to the state fire marshal. Most of those were eye injuries and hand burns. That�s the bad news. The good news is that those are less than in 1998, when fireworks caused 152 fires and 81 injuries. The reductions are the result of fireworks education efforts, said state Fire Marshal Robert Panuccio. "Another reason for the major decrease may be Oregon�s new rule that changed the legal age to buy fireworks," he said. Last year, Oregon banned fireworks sales to children under 16. Children must be supervised by an adult when using fireworks. There is no age requirement for the purchase of novelty items like party poppers, smoke bombs and snakes. It�s illegal to possess anything that explodes or flies through the air anywhere in the state. In Medford, fireworks restrictions are even tougher � that�s why you see the local fireworks booths set up on busy roads just outside the city limits. Inside Medford, it�s unlawful to possess, offer for sale or sell, use or explode any fireworks. Violators can be fined $150. "It�s difficult to enforce,�� acknowledged Medford police Lt. Tim George. But, he added, "Carelessness is going to get someone cited." In Ashland, the sale of fireworks is prohibited in city limits but use in city limits is allowed. Other cities in the Rogue Valley fall under state law. For those who don�t live in a fire district and whose land is protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry, fireworks use is prohibited except in areas cleared of all flammable vegetation. Fireworks also are prohibited on all Bureau of Land Management and U.S. National Forest lands. Panuccio�s office advises people to follow these tips to prevent fires and accidents: Use only legal fireworks. Keep pets indoors to prevent them from running away. Keep a water hose or fire extinguisher nearby. Adults should always light the fireworks in an outdoor area clear of flammable material. Asphalt or cement is ideal. Light one at a time and move away quickly; do not throw them or hold them. Soak used fireworks thoroughly in water. Do not attempt to relight duds; douse them with water and let them sit for at least five minutes. Clean up debris and dispose of it properly. Obituaries | Sports | Business | Classifieds | Tempo | Prime Times | So Oregon Sites | Outdoor Journal | Subscribe | Contact | Movies | Advertise | Real Estate Showcase | Archive | Editorials | Letters to the editor | Religion | Wake-up Call | NIE | Cyber Chef | Job Network | So Oregon Weather | WSJ Northwest | Forums | AP Wire | AP Money | F.A.Q. | Awards Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. The Community Newspaper Subsidiary of Dow Jones & Co, Inc Copyright �The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA