Officials stress holiday safety

By AMBER DILLEY
Glasgow Daily Times

GLASGOW June 30, 2009 12:42 pm

— While locals will be out celebrating Independence Day over the weekend, law enforcement will be out in full force making sure citizens stay safe.
Glasgow Fire Chief Bobby Bunnell said the fire department will be on call that weekend to help with firework-related incidents and gave some general safety precautions.
“Always make sure, if you’re doing any type of personal fireworks that there is adult supervision and only use approved fireworks, purchased in state,” he said.
Legal fireworks in Kentucky are Class C, which include sparklers, cone fountains, ground spinners and noisemakers.
Firecrackers and rockets are not Class C and are not legal for home use. A person must be 16 years old to purchase any fireworks in Kentucky.
Bunnell added that if you’re going to be lighting fireworks, be sure to have water handy.
“Above all, be safe and follow the instructions on the fireworks,” he said. “Of course, a safe way to enjoy the big fireworks is to go to a public display.”
Many people will also be cooking out for the big weekend and need to be cautious against grill fires as well.
“One of the concerns if you’re using a grill is to not use it under an awning or anything attached to the house,” Bunnell said. “The grill needs to be eight to 10 feet from the structure, in case it flares up. If you’re using charcoal, be sure to follow the instructions and be careful using lighter fluid. A lot of the charcoal you can get today has lighter fluid in it, so you don’t have to worry about that. If you do have a grease fire, close the cover, turn the gas off and the fire should go out.”
Both the Barren County Sheriff’s Office and Glasgow Police Department will have officers on full patrol during the holiday.
The Glasgow Police Department will be conducting traffic checkpoints over the weekend at several locations, including Happy Valley Road (Ky. 90), New Bowling Green Road (U.S. 68/Ky. 80), Old Bowling Green Road (Ky. 1297), Scottsville Road (U.S. 31E South), Roseville Road (Ky. 249), Tompkinsville Road (Ky. 63), Burkesville Road (Ky. 90 East), Columbia Avenue (U.S. 68/Ky. 80 East), North Jackson Hwy (U.S. 31E North) and Old Munfordville Road.
The department doesn’t expect an eventful weekend, in terms of trouble-makers.
“We don’t have a lot of complaints, usually,” said Captain Kent Keen, public information officer. “We might get a few if it keeps going into the morning and we respond to those. We will have full enforcement personnel out.”
Sheriff Chris Eaton also didn’t expect any trouble.
“We’ll be out in full force, assisting at the fireworks show at Barren River State Park,” he said. “We expect a very good and quiet Fourth of July.”