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Fireworks overflow at area businesses, stands
By Stephanie Norman
The Paris News
Published December 30, 2009
Why not celebrate the New Year with a big bang and a little flame?
Fireworks sales centers and stands abound in the Red River Valley, and along with a variety of selections, most offer safety tips to go along with their wares.
Reno Fireworks Inc., 5625 Lamar Road, is one of three large fireworks businesses in Lamar County. The other — Stateline Fireworks — has two locations, on U.S 82 west of Paris and on U.S. 271 in Powderly. Operators of the Stateline locations are Greg and Pam Withers.
The Paris News talked with Reno Fireworks owner Justin Withers on Tuesday to get a feel for anything new available for this holiday season and to provide some basic firework safety tips.
Withers said he has added some new styles of fireworks with one of the best sellers being the “Blonde Joke.” He said this specific one shoots off 24 individual shots and then does 12 “really high, pretty shots.” This firework is one of the largest available for public use at 500 grams of explosive. The more grams, the bigger the bang.
Mostly what Reno Fireworks sells is the Black Cat brand, but a few other brands can be found. Withers said his shop is basically “a Black Cat store.”
There is no limit as to how many fireworks can be purchased at one time.
“We try to sell people what they need, not what we need to sell,” Withers explained.
He said he intends on every customer leaving with something that’s going to make them want to come back for the 4th of July.
In order to purchase fireworks, customers must be at least 16-years-old or have a parent or guardian present.
Safety is one of the most important keys when dealing with fireworks, rockets, etc., Withers noted. A list of safety rules to follow is printed on shopping bags. Precautions include keeping a minimum of 40 feet spectator distance from the firework, reading the instructions on each firework before igniting and keeping fireworks away from small children.
Rockets should always be launched from a tube or rack, and only one firework should be lighted at a time. If a firework fails to light, the user should not try to relight the firework.
Withers stressed the importance of following and passing on basic safety steps. One of the easiest steps to follow is to use common sense, he said. Water should also be easy accessible when lighting flammable products.
Firework locations are open from 9 a.m. until midnight daily through New Years Eve. Reno Fireworks is to close at 5 p.m., Jan. 1, 2010 and reopen June 24, to provide service to the community for the 4th of July.
A reminder for firework users — it is against the law to light fireworks within Paris city limits. They can, however, be used in Reno and other surrounding places in Lamar County.
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