Today is the day that fireworks are legal to use in the City of Perry, so Perry Fire Chief Chris Hinds reminds people of the dangers they can present if not used properly.

“You think about fireworks and the Fourth of July, and it’s just celebrating and having a good time. But the other side of that, the side that people don’t often think of or that they don’t realize, is the dangers of fireworks. Especially in the hands of small children. You know, you light the fuse and it goes bang, and you think, ‘Oh, that was fun, and it didn’t hurt anything.’ But a small firecracker, even in the hands of a small child, is something that could disfigure that hand or render it useless for that child for the rest of their life.”

Hinds recommends people have constant supervision when it comes to fireworks. He also said it’s a good idea to shoot them in wide-open spaces to avoid catching any structures on fire. Finally, he advises people to keep whatever they’re not using stored safely, as he’s seen it before when a stray firework accidentally sets off a whole box.

Fireworks will be legal to use in Perry from 4-11 p.m. today, according to the City ordinance.