Firework buyers come out in Loudon County, prompts safety reminders

 

LENOIR CITY (WATE) - It's the busiest week of the year at Bimbos Fireworks in Loudon County, with customers loading up on everything to make a festive 4th of July.

That's got plenty of people searching high and low for the perfect combination of combustibles.

"Anything that lights up the sky for the kids, celebrates them, makes them happy, makes them giggle," said customer Scott Brown.

Scott Brown and his family stopped in on their way home to Alabama. Right off the interstate, Bimbos is a popular destination for people from all over.
 

Even though fireworks of any kind are illegal in Knox County, store owner Ed Boling says they still see people come in from Knox County to make purchases.

"We do have a lot of Knox countians come buy fireworks from us, people in West Knoxville."

It is illegal to set off fireworks in Knox, Blount, and Anderson counties, as well as in the cities of Knoxville, Gatlinburg and Alcoa. If you are setting off fireworks at home it's important to follow all the safety precautions.

"The proximities they maintained are really important and having safety glasses," Boling said. 

Captain D.J. Corcoran of the Knoxville Fire Department says injuries to children are common.
 

"Probably one of the most common things we see are burns to children's feet and hands, because they've touched a sparkler or stepped on one."

Paying close attention to the kids and making sure they use age appropriate fireworks is key to an injury-free holiday.

The fire department also recommends keeping a hose or fire extinguisher nearby to ensure those sparklers are the only things lighting up the sky this 4th of July.