DECEMBER 2020
WEATHER
TODAY
31-3
FRIDAY SATURDAY
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NEW YEAR EDITION
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LEGEND PLUMBING & ROOTER Lic # ML-16126 830 • 303 •3335
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The Voice of Seguin Today
Volume 55 • Number 246 830 • 379 • 2234
Fireworks prohibited in Seguin County officials also encourage people to skip the fireworks this year to start a fire,” said Dreiss.
Dreiss says they want people to enjoy their New Year’s celebrations, but people just shouldn’t be using fireworks this year. “The purpose behind having no fireworks allowed in the city limits, is because we are too close together and it’s too easy to damage your neighbor’s property with no ill-intent. Just by accident, you can either catch their grass on fire and/or catch their house on fire,” said Dreiss. Dreiss says if you are going to use fireworks, you need to make sure in you’re in an area outside the city, and that you’ve taken the adequate steps to make sure that you can use them safely.
(Seguin) -- If you’re planning on using fireworks to help ring in the New Year, local emergency officials are reminding you use extra caution during the holiday period. Seguin Fire Marshal Greg Dreiss says city of Seguin residents should keep in mind that possession and use of fireworks inside the city limits is strictly prohibited. There are always some city dwellers who ignore the rule, but Dreiss says this is definitely one of those times where you don’t want to do that.
“We understand that everyone wants to have a good time; however, there’s a proper place for that, and that’s where there is more property that allows for more fireworks to be enjoyed at a distance without being worried about damaging your neighbor’s property. It’s always a good idea to have a water source close by,and (make sure you are) watching the fireworks even after they land to make sure that they don’t catch something on fire. Don’t assume that they are out. Go make sure they are out, because they can still smolder and catch the grass on fire long after you go inside,” said Dreiss.
“This year, it’s extemely important because we are extemely dry. Regardless of the amount of rain that we are going to get over the next day or two, the grass is still dead and it’s just likely
Fireworks aren’t toys, although some children are allowed to use them each year. Dreiss says these are explosive devices and you shouldn’t allow you children to use them without adult
By Darren Dunn
supervision, and in some cases there are some items that they say shouldn’t be used by children under any circumstances.
“You shouldn’t allow a child to discharge fireworks unsupervised, and you shouldn’t allow a child to discharge larger fireworks that have the potential to hurt them severely. We want our smaller children using sparklers or the smaller novelty items, but nothing with any large amount of explosives inside. It’s too easy for them to get injured. They maybe don’t have the reaction time to get away from the fireworks without getting hurt. Every year, there are multiple people that are injured by fireworks. (People) losing arms and hands, because the fireworks go off prior to their expectancy. These are explosive devices and there is no safety measures in place to protect you if it goes off (unexpectantly). There’s nothing to say that it’s not going to burn quicker then they intended it to. So it’s always imperative that a child be superivised if they are going to use smaller fireworks, and you should not allow them to use any of the larger fireworks,” said Dreiss. Even though fireworks are permitted in the rural parts of the Guadalupe County, officials say you still might want to hold off on using them celebrate the New Year. County Judge Kyle Kutscher says the fire danger is high, and they don’t want to start 2021 with a rash of grass and structure fires. “The KBDI drought index is not high enough to be able to limit some of the fireworks (sold) out in the county, but we still respectfully ask all the citizens to be very careful. The announcement would be -- please exercise
extreme caution. We’ve got inclement weather, with a norther blowing in and (we are) expecting high winds. Even if we get rainfall, it’s going to be extemely dry out there, so be careful when you go to...use fireworks. Think about our firefighters and first responders that have to travel out on the windy-cold nights to be putting out fires across the county. It has happened, and it will happen again. So please be careful,” said Kutscher. The Seguin fire and police departments will be working together on Friday night looking for people who are violating the city’s ordinance on fireworks. Those found in violation of the ordinance can be fined up to $2,000. Those who can use fireworks legally outside the city are encouraged to follow these tips: - Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks - Only use fireworks outdoors - Read and follow all warnings and instructions - Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks - Alcohol and fireworks can be dangerous combination - Be sure people are out of range before lighting fireworks - Wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks - Children should not pick up leftover fireworks, because they may still be active - Never touch fireworks after it has been lit - Always have a bucket of water or water hose nearby Dreiss says people who have questions about the city’s fireworks ban, can call the Seguin Fire Marshal’s Office at 830-401-2312.