Frework stores and people prepare to ring in the new year

Dec. 29—Elberton, Georgia's Keith White looks forward to New Year's.

While looking at fireworks at Wacky Wayne's Fireworks, White can't wait toshoot some when he returns home.

"We have a big bash to get the year going," he said. "I would do it all year long. I am a big kid at heart and I love fireworks. They are just awesome."

As 2022 ends, people such as White are purchasing various types of fireworks like sparklers and rockets to ring in 2023.

Skip Playford, store manager of Wacky Wayne's Fireworks in North Augusta, saye he has been seeing a lot of customers because of its location off Interstate 20.

He said business is high during July 4th, but it also starts to pick up around Christmas time until the new year.

"We are open year-round and we see people from all around, out West, up North, lots of people," Playford said.

White was one of Playford's customers beating the weekend rush.

"We are ready for the customers to come in," Playford said.

The pretty colors and the family gatherings are reasons why White enjoys fireworks.

"It is just simple fun, you don't have to be rich or strong or anybody in particular," White said. "Anybody can shoot fireworks."

White plans to shoot fireworks from his property like he has been doing it for 35 years. He said it's a big gathering with his family, which includes grandkids, cousins, nieces and nephews.

"They sit back and watch and say, 'It was good grandpa,' " he said.

Another Georgia customer Craig McGhee said he was passing through the area and was in the mood to pick up some boom fireworks.

"It just depends on how I feel and I will stop by and pick some up," he said.

Playford reminds his customers to be safe by shooting fireworks.

His safety tips include: Keeping fireworks away from properties, trees and buildings, having a bucket of water or sand nearby, not having children handle fireworks and shooting them from a safe distance.

American Pyrotechnics Safety and Education Foundation executive director Julie L. Heckman said injuries are caused by the fireworks and people not reading the directions.

"The vast majority of firework-related incidents are due to fireworks misuse," Heckman said.

According to a 2021 report released by the U.S. Customer Product Safety Commission, 1,500 people were injured by fireworks and 1,100 people were injured using sparklers.

"We want to keep spectators at a safe distance," Heckman said.

Southern states such as Georgia, South Carolina and Texas are the biggest consumers of fireworks due to the warm climate that allows fireworks to be used year-round, Heckman said. She said it is important for people to know the local fireworks laws.

Lt. Junior Johnson with North Augusta Department of Public Safety, advises people not to shoot fireworks near their property and follow the city's loud noise ordinance, which doesn't include fireworks.

Heckman said pets and others can become startled by fireworks. She suggests being respectful to neighbors and turning on a radio or television to keep pets from becoming startled.

Lt. Jennifer Haynes with Aiken Department of Public Safety said city ordinance makes the shooting and the selling of fireworks illegal in the city limits.

"Our stance is that the only safe way to view fireworks is to attend a professional," Hayes said.

Hayes said according to the National Fire Prevention Association , more than 19,500 fires are reported from fireworks and account for 44 percent of incidents that require a trip to the emergency room.

Hayes said during New Year's and July 4th, the department gets complaints of noise coming from the fireworks, but most people receive warnings.

"A lot of times it basically going to the area where people are complaining and letting them know what it legal," she said. "That usually takes care of the problem most of the time."

Playford still thinks shooting fireworks is a fun way to ring in 2023.

"I think people like the colors, the effects, the noise and I think this is one of the ways people celebrate," Playford.

Additional safety tips can be found by going to https://www.celebratesafely.org/assets/FactSheets/apsef-safetyflyer-final-2016.pdf or https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Fireworks