Celebrating safely

RIO GRANDE VALLEY -July 4th may be Independence Day in the United States, but the date has become synonymous with fireworks fun.

But with the fun that accompanies the annual tradition of using fireworks to celebrate the holiday also comes responsibility for fireworks users and hours of hard work in the hot sun for fireworks retailers.

Locally, fireworks hit the warehouses and stands on June 24th.

Inez Martinez, who manages the Alamo Fireworks warehouse in Harlingen, said that he and his wife run the warehouse and that both were expecting brisk sales.

"If it's anything like the past Christmas holiday, sales will be non-stop," Martinez said.

Martinez said sales go up when ads and coupons come out in the newspaper and on the company's Web site.

"Usually, our busiest times are our last two days," he said. "It's usually the closer we get to the holiday, the busier we get."
Martinez said he is very excited about business this year.

"I'm very excited because our prices have dropped this year from last year, and we're just trying to be as competitive as the other vendors," he said.

Safety is a very huge thing for Martinez who always makes sure that his customers and employees are safe.

"We take safety seriously," he said. "Our business is checked by a fire marshal each season. We try to keep it clean at all times. If anything would happen, we'd evacuate the area.

"I am trained to use a fire extinguisher," he said. "The number one thing is the safety of the people and the employees. If anything were to happen, we would contact the appropriate people depending on the circumstance. And of course, we'd have to contact our main operator in San Antonio."

Martinez said that improper use of fireworks is often a major reason for injuries during July 4th, adding that the items always have clear instructions.

"Make sure you read labels, and buy what's best for you," he said. "And always practice safety and precautions, no matter how long you've used fireworks. When they throw caution out the door, it's more likely to happen. It's always best to be safe."

Armando Izaguirre sells for Valley Discount Fireworks in Mercedes and said he is very careful with selling fireworks to children younger than 12 years old. He said they have to be with an adult in order for them to purchase any kind of fireworks.

Izaguirre said he also keeps a watchful eye on customers as they near his stand. He likes to make sure that anything, anyone brings toward the stand doesn't cause any type of fire.

"If any dangerous situation does happen, we want to find a way quickly to turn off the fire, like our fire extinguisher we have here at the stand," he said.