Too much fun on Fourth of July Weekend

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July 2, 2009

By ANDY GOODELL

OSKALOOSA — It’s a time to let loose and celebrate our independence — just not too loose.

Fourth of July Weekend is often involves parties, camping and other outdoor fun. Unfortunately, this coming weekend will likely also include illegal fireworks and alcohol-related arrests.

In the weeks and days leading up to Independence Day, the popping and crackling of illegal fireworks can be heard in the streets of Oskaloosa and most other American communities. The fact that they’re potentially dangerous comes second to some people, Oskaloosa Police Chief John “Jake” McGee said.

If caught with illegal fireworks like Roman candles, Black Cats or a long list of things that go “boom,” the minimum fine for the misdemeanor crime is $250, said McGee.

“Most people who have illegal fireworks know they are illegal,” said McGee after noting the only legal fireworks in Iowa are snakes, sparklers and snaps. “They just like the excitement of watching them go off.”

It’s when they go off that the fun and anticipation of watching a fuse burn down can end.

Although he has not heard about any fireworks-related injuries as of late, McGee said he suspects many of these instances go unreported.

Dr. Matt Whitis, director of the Emergency Services Center at Mahaska Health Partnership, said he has also not seen anyone in the ER for such explosive injuries. However, he said those who choose to light off illegal fireworks often don’t know what they’re dealing with.

“I don’t think a lot of people realize the explosive power of fireworks,” explained Whitis. “Many of them who are injured are young, and they certainly don’t have any training with them.”

Whitis said the most common areas of the body that are injured by fireworks are the hands and eyes. He provided a typical injury scenario.

“Sometimes they’ll light the fuse and the firework won’t go off, so they try to relight it or handle it and it goes off,” said Whitis.

Speaking of burns, Whitis pointed out that people celebrating the Fourth of July by camping don’t understand proper fire safety. He said it is still a common occurrence for people to be admitted to the ER with gasoline burns after trying to light a fire with the substance.

“I don’t think people realize the explosiveness of gasoline,” said Whitis. “Just about every month or two we see someone with burns because of this.”

Aside from fire and explosive injuries, Fourth of July Weekend is often wrought with alcohol-related crimes. Everything from OWIs to public intoxication seem to spike around this and other holiday weekends such as Memorial Day Weekend.

Both McGee and Whitis said the rise in OWI charges and alcohol-related accidents is simply due to people using a holiday as an excuse to drink more than they would normally.

Fortunately, McGee his department and other law enforcement entities will be out in full force this weekend to minimize the problems of excessive drinking.

“We will be out there doing our part to make sure people in the city are safe,” said McGee sternly. “Especially after a tragic weekend we had on Memorial Day with 11 deaths here in Iowa, we’ll be stepping up traffic enforcement.”

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Herald City Editor Andy Goodell can be reached at news2@oskyherald.com

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