Morehead City fire department offers July 4th fireworks safety tips, points residents to waterfront show on July 5th

Jason Baker of the Morehead City Fire Department Fire Marshal's Office urged residents to follow basic precautions if they plan to use consumer fireworks during the July holiday period, and he recommended attending the city-sponsored show as the safest option.

Baker said the remarks were intended as safety tips for a "very safe July 4th," and added he wants people to "wake up with all 10 of these on July 5th." He told listeners to "make sure you're using legal fireworks" at home and to avoid any devices "that leaves the ground." "When you use fireworks at the house, the legal ones, sparklers, the little showers, things that you buy local," he said.

He gave specific safety measures: keep fireworks at least 25 feet from the house, keep children at least 25 feet from the fireworks area, and keep a water source such as a garden hose nearby. "Make sure you're 25 ft or more away from the house. Make sure you keep your children 25 ft or more away from the fireworks," he said.

As an alternative to private fireworks, Baker encouraged residents to attend the Morehead City Waterfront show, saying it "is the safest way to assure that you have all 10 of these on July 5th." He noted that if residents encounter problems on July 4th they should "please call 911," and added, "Morehead City Fire Department will be there quickly and we'll handle the situation."

The guidance focused on practical, household safety steps: use legal, ground-based products, maintain clear distances from people and structures, keep water immediately available and rely on the municipal fireworks display if possible. The message did not announce any policy changes, enforcement action, or new city rules; it was a public-safety advisory from the Fire Marshal's Office.