BEXAR COUNTY, Texas — If you’re planning to use fireworks in your New Year’s celebration, it’s important to keep safety in mind.
Over 10,000 people were treated in emergency rooms for firework-related injuries in 2022 according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and nearly 20,000 fires are started by fireworks every year.
But there are steps you can take to make sure you end the year with a nice, safe bang.
It’s one of the busiest times of the year for Mr. W’s Fireworks Supers Store (12444 US-90) in far west Bexar County.
“Every winter, in this location, it is always a good season,” said store operator Hilda Hernandez. “Even on our lows, there's no such thing as lows.”
The shelves were fully stocked Saturday afternoon, but Hernandez said she expects the shelves to be empty by Monday.
Hernandez understands the dangerous nature of the products she sells, so she is always ready with advice for keeping the celebrations safe.
"These are beautiful, colorful explosives,” said Hernandez. “So, we always have to be cautious."
Hernandez said it’s a good idea to run a hose out to the area where the fireworks are going to be lit. You’ll need to be at least 50 feet away from any buildings to use fireworks safely. So, check ahead of time that your hose is long enough.
“It's just an extra safety precaution,” said Hernandez. “If something does happen, you can just turn on the water hose.”
Used fireworks should be soaked in something like a bucket of kiddie pool for at least 15 minutes, but Hernandez said preferably overnight, then bagged and thrown away in the morning.
“If you don't have a bucket or a kiddie pool, just make sure you really slow your fireworks down with plenty of water," she said.
Hernandez wanted to stress also that with a few exceptions; like poppers or confetti guns, the products they sell at Mr. W should not be handled by children.
“This is a sport only for adults,” she said. “Children can watch, but they cannot turn on or hold any fireworks like that.”
Keep in mind that using fireworks in Bexar County is perfectly legal. But, setting off your own inside the San Antonio city limits is a class C misdemeanor.
Bexar County has a list of safety recommendations on its website.