Philadelphia Fire Department's tips for a fire-free New Year's Eve celebration

It sounds obvious, but we must remind everyone: Fireworks are dangerous and using them at home in Philadelphia is illegal! They pose serious threats to life and property, and the explosions can cause extreme distress to residents who aren't expecting to hear them. This includes military veterans, elderly folks, children, and of course our pets. So be a good neighbor and skip the booms.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that 32,000 fires each year are started by fireworks. Thankfully, the Philadelphia Fire Department has highly trained members in its Fire Prevention and Code Division who make sure the professional fireworks displays in the city are set up safely so everyone can enjoy them.

Here are three suggestions for safely celebrating New Year's Eve:

• Give the kiddos glow sticks or flashing lights - NOT sparklers - to make an at-home light show. Sparklers burn at 1,200 degrees and can cause extreme injuries. For comparison, water boils at 212 degrees, and glass melts at 900 degrees.
• Leave the good stuff to the professionals! There's a free concert and fireworks show on the Parkway, and two fireworks shows on the Delaware River, where you can take the whole family to enjoy expert pyrotechnics set to music!
• This goes for the whole year, but don't forget to test your smoke alarms! If you need them for your home, call 311 or visit their website. You can put in the request and PFD members will come install them in your home, free of charge.