The Fourth of July is defined by parades, parties, outdoor grilling, and fireworks. And although fireworks are undeniably fun, their misuse can lead to injury or death. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates there were nearly 6,500 fireworks injuries in the weeks surrounding the Fourth of July last year.
Leelanau County’s emergency services are already stretched thin as they try to meet the needs of a larger population that includes seasonal residents, but their largest call volume comes over the summer holidays. To avoid injuries, local fire chiefs are urging residents to be careful and responsible with their fireworks.
LeelanauTownshipEmergency Services Chief Hugh Cook cautioned people to check burn permits for July 3-5 at michigan.gov/ burnpermit before shooting fireworks. The website links to a color-coded map of Michigan counties, with a breakdown of burn permits by township.
