Craig Daily Press

Integrated Community/Comunidad Integrada is looking for volunteers interested in teaching English for six months in Steamboat Springs. A two-part training for volunteers is scheduled from 6 to 8:30 p.m. July 9 and 16 at Integrated Community’s Steamboat Springs office at 718 Oak St. No foreign language skills are necessary. Snacks and beverages will be served. For more information, call 871-4599 or 824-6424.

Fiesta Vacation Bible School begins July 21

Five area churches are joining together for Fiesta Vacation Bible School. Churches involved are First Congregational Church, Friendship United Methodist Church, Lutheran Church of Grace, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and St. Michael Catholic Church. Classes will take place from 8:30 to noon on July 21 to 25 at St. Michael. For more information, call Debbie Frazier at 824-2124.

Craig Police warn against fireworks

July 4 is approaching rapidly and the Craig Police Department already is receiving complaints about fireworks. Craig City Ordinance prohibits “any person to possess, sell, offer for sale, expose for sale, explode or otherwise use any fireworks prohibited” under the ordinance.

In general, this means “any article, device or substance prepared for deflagration or detonation.” Most commonly associated are items such as “firecrackers,” “torpedoes,” “skyrockets,” “pop-bottle rocket” and “Roman candles” or “any fireworks containing an explosive substance.”

In short — anything that leaves the ground or has an audible report — bang — is prohibited. A violation of this ordinance is considered a Class “A” offense, punishable with a minimum fine of $75 to a maximum fine of $300 and possible jail sentence of a minimum of 15 days to a maximum of 90 days.

Statistics: In 2005 an estimated 10,800 people were treated in emergency rooms across the U.S. for fireworks-related injuries. Seventy percent of all fireworks injuries take place around the July 4 holiday.

More than 50 percent of the injuries are to children and teenagers with firecrackers, sparklers and rockets being the top three injury-causing fireworks. These injuries were most associated with the hands, eyes, head, face and ears.

In addition, in 2002, there were an estimated 23,200 fires because of fireworks, resulting in approximately 35 million dollars in property loss. It should be noted that under State of Colorado statutes, “a person who knowingly or recklessly” starts a fire, placing others in danger or property in danger of damage, could face felony charges.

Sparklers, though not listed as prohibitive fireworks, can cause severe burns, especially in the hands of children. They can burn at temperatures of 2,000 degrees, hot enough to melt some metals.

It highly is recommended that citizens avoid prohibited fireworks and celebrate by enjoying the structured displays that are presented in Craig, each year, by the Fire Department. Avoid the risks.