By STACEY LEE GONZALEZ
Special to the NEWS
Before people embrace their loved ones at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, or stumble through the lyrics to “Auld Lang Syne,” it has long been a tradition nearly everywhere to set off fireworks.
But with dry conditions and the propensity of some to make their personal firework displays somewhat extravagant, even pyrotechnic in extreme cases, local officials encourage residents to take precautions.
Cameron County Emergency Management Coordinator Humberto Barrera said that while he is enthusiastic about the New Year, he warned citizens living in rural areas that, although no burn ban has been initiated, they should make safety their number one priority.
“We currently have no burn ban or fireworks restriction set in place,” Barrera said. “The reason for this is because we are not in an exceptionally dry drought condition. However, we still want our residents to be safe this season.”
Barrera further remarked, “Remember that just because it’s cold doesn’t mean it’s wet. It’s still very windy and that poses a potential safety hazard as well. We also want to remind families to not only supervise their kids, but to make sure that they have a source of water readily available.”
Meanwhile, San Benito Police Department Operations Chief Martin Morales said officers will be enforcing a citywide ordinance banning fireworks from being set off in town.
“This means residents who live within the city limits are not allowed to pop fireworks,” Morales said. “This doesn’t matter if it’s a small or big firework; we do whatever we can to enforce this ordinance.”
All business aside, both officials encouraged residents to go about celebrating their New Year’s festivities as they typically would. Morales and Barrera were very much in favor of residents having a fun yet safe experience in regards to popping fireworks this time of year.
“We encourage people to go out and enjoy fireworks as much as they would barbacoa and tamales so that they may have a safe fireworks season this time around,” Barrera said.
Read this story in the Dec. 30 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
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