The top headline of the July 6, 2017 Tri-City Ledger read 'Fireworks explosions injure two'. We don't want to write that headline or worse next week or the week after.
During last year's Fourth of July weekend, 40-year old Grady Barnes Jr., and 17-year old Hunter White lost multiple fingers on their hands due to fireworks explosions in separate incidents.
We love fireworks. You can't celebrate the Fourth of July without them. Whether you go to see a fireworks show at Century, Jay, Poarch or East Brewton; it's as American as apple pie.
A lot of people will attend one or more of the public fireworks displays and also have their own fireworks display at home, at the farm or where ever.
We have a fireworks stand here in Flomaton, Alabama Fireworks on Sidney Manning Boulevard, that can sell you all the fireworks you want. They run a great business and bring tax dollars and traffic into the town.
But you have to remember, fireworks are nothing more than bombs. Used correctly they can be a lot of fun and provide a lot of enjoyment. It doesn't take but a split second for a good family outing to turn tragic when people don't respect fireworks for what they are.
We'll publish next Thursday, the day after July 4, and will probably go to press early. What we don't want in next week's paper or the paper next is a story about someone getting injured or possibly killed due to fireworks.
We're not going to give you the list of do's and don't's because it all boils down to common sense and knowing whether it's a firecracker, sparkler or one of those that sends a lot of power into the sky. They can all hurt you or a loved one.
