Editorial: A healthy dose of caution can keep the Fourth safe

The Fourth of July can be a tough holiday for some Island residents.

Kids love it, of course. Many — young and old alike — enjoy the remarkable display over Quartermaster Harbor.

But the war zone-like, round-after-round blasting of fireworks — the free-for-all of families, teens and others firing off Roman candles, bottle rockets­, fountains and cones — ­can be hard on many Islanders, especially our four-legged friends.

Almost every year, someone on Vashon gets hurt. Animals run away. Tensions among neighbors sometimes flare up.

And this year, it could be a particularly stress-inducing holiday, thanks to the round of warm, dry weather we’ve been experiencing.

The extended forecast shows lots of sun and no rain between now and the Fourth, a day that’s expected to be in the high 70s or low 80s. As a result, firefighters will be on heightened alert, on guard for that stray ember that could touch off the kind of blaze this Island hasn’t seen in years.

Islanders can do their part to reduce the risks. For one, we can observe the rules: During summer, fireworks are legal on one day only — the Fourth of July, from 9 a.m. until midnight.

King County officials also suggest several safety measures:

• Always have a garden hose at the ready.

• Use only approved, legal and common fireworks purchased from licensed retailers.

• Light one item at a time, move away quickly, and keep a safe distance away.

• Always have a responsible adult light fireworks.

• Use fireworks outdoors — away from buildings, houses with wood shingles, trees and dry fields.

Some Islanders take additional steps, such as wetting down their gardens and yards in advance of the event.

The Fourth can be a lot of fun. Let’s make sure it is by following the rules, using common sense and keeping our own guard up for that errant device that lands on a neighbor’s bank of tall, parched grass.