FIRE OFFICIALS HOPE FOR SAFE CELEBRATION

Fire officials say recent rains have reduced the threat of grass fires that were major concerns around the Fourth of July during recent drought years. But to be safe, a firetruck will be stationed at Jackson City Park as a precaution during the fireworks show Tuesday.

"We will have personnel available in the park," said Jackson Fire Chief Brad Golden.

So far this year, no injuries have been reported in Jackson or Cape Girardeau due to fireworks. Cape Girardeau was not so fortunate last year, when a bottle rocket damaged a child's eye.

Cape Girardeau Fire Department Battalion Chief Tom Hikenbein said a clean, damp cloth should be placed on any burn before taking the victim to the hospital or calling for an ambulance.

Bottle rockets, which will be banned in the city after Dec. 31, are the primary culprit in fires caused by fireworks, Hinkebein said. "It's the nature of smaller bottle rockets. They can't control them and they don't know how far they're going to carry when they take off. And most of them have a report at the end."

Hinkebein said a garage and a storage shed caught fire in the city a few years ago as a result of fireworks. This year, a bottle rocket started a tree fire.

Fire and safety organizations are pushing for a national ban on bottle rockets, he said.

The fire danger in Cape Girardeau is lower this year than in past years. But, Hinkebein said, "The problem with the rain is that it has been sporadic with the city even. We are expecting a hot weekend, but unless something unusual happens we should be OK."

Cape Girardeau doesn't have a big public display this year (see related story), but private displays are planned at the Elks Club and at the Country Club. Both clubs are required to apply for a permit from the fire inspector.

Both Hinkebein and Golden said caution is the key to having a safe Fourth of July.

"All fireworks need to be supervised by an adult," Golden said. "People need to keep safety in mind."