With the Fourth of July just a week away, fireworks booths have popped up all over town to provide patriotic snaps, crackles, and pops in celebration of our nation’s independence.
There are 11 fireworks booths located around Oakdale, all of which are to benefit non-profit organizations. These booths carry fireworks that are legal and meet the “safe and sane” guidelines. Caution and common sense are still recommended in operating and observing fireworks because everyone wants to have a good time and still be safe.
The National Council on Fireworks Safety recommends that when operating fireworks to have a hose or bucket of water handy, to only operate them outdoors, don’t try to alter or combine fireworks, only people over age 12 should handle sparklers – sparklers can reach 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit – and to hold them away from the body, never to relight a dud and soak any duds in a water bucket after 20 minutes of the attempt to light it, have a “designated” fireworks lighter or shooter, and stay a safe distance away from the fireworks because they can sometimes shoot off in the wrong direction.
Other common sense dictates to keep fireworks away from brush, dry grass, leaves, houses, and other flammable materials. Also, help keep pets safe by keeping them inside to minimize the risk of them running away or becoming injured due to the stress and fright created by loud noises from the fireworks.
The National Council on Fireworks Safety also states to never use homemade fireworks or illegal explosives because they can kill you, and to report such devices to the police or fire department. Illegal fireworks typically have names such as M-80, M100, blockbuster, or quarterpounder.
The local organizations and their “safe and sane” fireworks booth locations are listed below in alphabetical order.
Bethel Assembly of God, 175 S. Maag Ave.
Cloverland PTC, 1010 East F St.
Faith Tabernacle of Oakdale, 505 East F St.
Knights of Columbus, 1580 East F St.
Oak Valley Church, 141 N. Yosemite Ave.
Oakdale Equine Rescue, 222 N. Yosemite Ave.
Oakdale Family Church of the Nazarene, 1700 West F St.
Oakdale Music Boosters, 1499 East F St.
Oakdale POA Explorers, 1275 East F St.
River Oak Grace Church, 808 N. Yosemite Ave.
True Vine Apostolic Church, 1300 West F St.
