Celebrate Fourth of July Safely in Escambia County

Escambia County wishes residents and visitors a safe, fun July Fourth with friends and family, and reminds everyone to follow these fireworks safety tips to make the most out of their holiday. Remember: If you spot a brush or wildfire or if someone is injured, call 911. View this safety message from Escambia County's Fire Chief Jason Catrambone and EMS Chief David Torsell.

The safest way to enjoy fireworks with your family is to participate in one of the following public fireworks displays:
Sertoma's 4th of July Fireworks 2021 - The 2021 Celebration is on, but it will look a bit different this year. Rahter than a full day event, it will start at 4:30 p.m. with live music and food trucks. Come out with your blankets and lawn chairs and get ready for a fantastic fireworks show over the bay beginning at 9 p.m. Bartram Park is located at 211 Bayfront Parkway. Bring a radio and tune to Cat Country 98.7 for the special Fourth of July music to accompany the fireworks!

Pensacola Beach 4th of July Fireworks - Let Pensacola Beach get you into the patriotic spirit this Independence Day. With the sugar-white sands of Pensacola Beach under your feet, keep your eyes focused on the night skies this Fourth of July for a dazzling fireworks display along the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk and Santa Rosa Sound. The show starts at 8:30 p.m. so arrive early to reserve your spot on the sand! The best viewing spots are from the Portofino Boardwalk or Quietwater Beach. 

Symphony, Sparks & Stars July 4th event and concert
There is a free public concert on Sunday when the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra will perform just after 7 p.m. and should last for about two hours. Be sure to come equipped with chairs and blankets for this family-friendly show at the Hunter Amphitheater behind the Blue Wahoos Stadium, 301 W. Main St. 

If you decide to celebrate the Fourth of July at home with sparklers, it’s important to know sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees - as hot as a blowtorch and hot enough to melt some metals. Here are some helpful tips to minimize your chance of accident or injury:

• Only purchase state-approved sparklers from licensed vendors.
• Prior to use, be sure to read and follow all warnings and instructions.
• Only light sparklers on a flat, smooth surface away from combustible materials. Do not light them on grass.
• Keep a fire extinguisher or water hose on hand for emergencies.
• Never have any portion of your body directly over the sparkler when lighting the fuse. 
• Never allow children to play or use any sparkler or novelty device without supervision.
• Do not use any unwrapped item that may have been tampered with.
• Light only one item at a time and never attempt to re-light a “dud.”
• Discard all products safely. Submerge used and “dud” sparklers in water prior to placing in household trash receptacles.

Fireworks and Pets
Unlike people, pets don’t associate the noise, flashes and burning smell of fireworks with celebration. As a result, fireworks can cause a great deal of stress and anxiety for some pets. Your pet may display unexpected behavior while trying to escape from the loud noises including jumping a fence to find safety, running away or “flight from fright,” destruction of yard or household items, and biting. Please follow these tips:

• Do not take your pet to fireworks displays.
• Do not leave your pet in the car while you watch a fireworks display. In only a matter of minutes, the heat in a car can cause serious health problems or even death. A stressed animal can also cause major damage to the interior of your car.
• Be mindful of hot asphalt and sand. Keeping your dog on hot asphalt or sand even for short periods of time can cause severe burns to the pads of their feet.
• Never leave pets unattended outside, not even in a fenced yard or on a chain, if you are near a fireworks display or if your neighbors are lighting small fireworks. They may try to run away or become tangled up in their chain.
• Keep pets indoors. Turn on the TV or radio as a distraction and close the curtains.
• Provide a pet bed or crate in a quiet place to create a small den-like atmosphere and a sense of security.
• If you must be outside with your pet, keep the pet on a leash or in a carrier at all times.
• Make sure your pet has proper identification tags with current information in case they run away.
• If your pet often becomes stressed during periods of loud noise like thunderstorms, check with your veterinarian to see if a sedative is appropriate for your pet.
• Shelters often see an increase in lost pets after fireworks displays. If your pet runs away, post and search for lost pets at myescambia.com/animalshelter or call (850) 595-3075. 

Each July Fourth, thousands of people, most often children and teens, are injured while using consumer fireworks. Despite the dangers of fireworks, few people understand the associated risks - devastating burns, other injuries, fires and even death.

Resources

Fireworks safety tip sheet

Fireworks are often used to mark special events and holidays. The only safe way to view fireworks is to attend a professional show. You can also download the fireworks safety tip sheet in Spanish. (PDF)

 

Videos

 
A three-year old boy, Michael Shannon, was killed when a legal consumer firework struck him in the head during a July Fourth family celebration. Michael's parents and sister talk about their memories of Michael, the pain they've endured in the years since his death, and their hope that parents will understand the danger of consumer fireworks. Share this video.

 
NFPA's Dan Doofus urges people not to use consumer fireworks because they are too dangerous. Fireworks are responsible for thousands of fires and injuries each year. Share this video.