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Amanda Butterfield ReportingAs you're out with your family enjoying this holiday weekend, don't forget to keep a close eye on the kids, especially when you're lighting the fireworks.
With the 4th of July landing on a Sunday, and Monday being a holiday, fire crews around the state are expecting celebrations to start earlier and last longer.
Jay Ziolkowski, Unified Fire Authority: “Light fireworks on ground, have water and hose ready to go just in case.”
And though it's true you've got to be at least 16-years old to buy fireworks, there's no age limit to lighting them.
Jay Ziolkowski: “The one big encouragement is to make sure the parents are there to supervise any firework activity.”
And don't let recent wet weather trick you into thinking the fire danger is any less.
Jay Ziolkowski: “That's really promoted growth. If we have high winds, low humidity, and increase in temps, that amount of water we've received won't necessarily help us.”
Emergency rooms at local hospitals are gearing up for a busy couple of days too. Nice weather and a long weekend usually mean more car accidents, camping and hiking accidents, and fireworks accidents.
But if you play it safe, chances are you won't get burned, which is exactly what fire crews want
Jay Ziolkowski: “We encourage everyone to please be safe, careful, have great time."
And a reminder, if you're caught using illegal fireworks -- anything that shoots 15 feet in the air, and 10 feet horizontally -- Salt Lake firefighters can write you a misdemeanor.
