Sidney fireworks to launch July 4 at 10 p.m.

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SIDNEY — Goffena Furniture has joined the list of sponsors for this year’s July 4 fireworks display, Sidney Mayor Mike Barhorst has announced.

“I am pleased that Goffena Furniture has joined the list of sponsors for this year’s July 4 fireworks display,” Barhor said. “When I asked Matt Goffena for his help, he didn’t hesitate.”

“This community has been good to our family and our business,” Goffena said. “This country has been good to us – if I can be a part of helping celebrate the birth of our great nation, I’m happy to do so!”

Goffena Furniture, located at 2600 Michigan St., is currently remodeling their full-service store. Founded in 1942 by Marcel Goffena, the business is been a part of the Goffena Family for four generations, and sells product lines from more than 30 manufacturers.

The traditional fireworks display will be held on Tuesday, July 4, in Sidney at 980 Fair Road (Sidney Middle School). As has been past practice, the city of Sidney will continue to provide in-kind services for this event by way of site inspection, fire protection during the exhibit, traffic control and help provide for the safety and welfare of the residents, before, during and after the event. The fireworks exhibit is scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. In the event of rain, the fireworks will be held on July 5 at the same time and location.

In addition to Goffena Furniture, other sponsors of this year’s fireworks display include Wilson Health, Emerson Climate Technologies, Buckeye Ford, NK Telco, S&S Hospitality Management and Ferguson Construction Company.

“I never cease to be amazed by the generosity of so many within out great city,” Barhorst said. “I would encourage residents to thank the businesses and individuals who are helping to sponsor this year’s fireworks either in person, by writing a note, sending an email message or purchasing their products. That gesture can help guarantee that we will continue to have fireworks in the coming years.”

“Residents are reminded of the danger fireworks can pose if not handled properly. Only state licensed exhibitors can display and discharge fireworks,” Sidney Fire Chief Brad Jones said. “The only type of fireworks that can be legally discharged by the public are trick and novelty devices – or items that smoke, sparkle, snap and snake. These devices should only be used by adults, or children who are under direct adult supervision.

“Even those devices get hot enough to ignite clothing and cause burn injuries,” Jones said. “As an example, sparklers are commonly given to children – sparklers burn at 1200 degrees as a reference point, water boils at 212 degrees, cakes bake at 350 degrees, wood burns at 575 degrees, and glass melts at 900 degrees.

“I want to mention a couple of other points in an attempt to convince residents that they should not purchase fireworks to use at home.” Jones said. “Fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires per year, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and 16,900 fires outdoors.

“In 2015, the last year for which statistics are currently available, these fires caused an average of three deaths, 40 injuries, and $43M in direct property damage,” Jones said. “In 2015, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 11,900 people for fireworks related injuries – 51 percent of those injuries were to the extremities, primarily fingers, hands and arms – 41 percent were to the head. Children younger than 15 years of age accounted for 26 percent of the injuries.”

“We simply want everyone to have a safe holiday,” Barhorst said. “I would also remind residents that in the event of inclement weather, the fireworks will be held on July 5th at the same time and location.”

Staff report

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