FIREWORKS SAFETY TIPS from the FEMA and the U.S. Fire Administration: (If fireworks are legal where you live and you decide to set them off on your own, be sure to follow these important safety tips: )   Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks. Sparklers, considered by many the ideal "safe" firework for the young, burn at very high temperatures and can easily ignite clothing. Children cannot understand the danger involved and cannot act appropriately in case of emergency.   Read and follow all warnings and instructions.   Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks. Never shoot a firework at or near another person.   Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves, and flammable materials.   Never try to relight fireworks that have not fully functioned. Douse and soak them with water and throw them away.   Keep a bucket of water handy in case of a malfunction or fire.   Never ignite fireworks in a container, especially a glass or metal container.   Keep unused fireworks away from firing areas.   Store fireworks in a dry, cool place. Check instructions for special storage directions.   Observe local laws.   Never have any portion of your body directly over a firework while lighting.   Don't experiment with homemade fireworks.     Overheated Clothes Dryers Can Cause Fires   Clean the lint screen/filter before or after drying each load of clothes. If clothing is still damp at the end of a typical drying cycle or drying requires longer times than normal, this may be a sign that the lint screen or the exhaust duct is blocked.   Clean the dryer vent and exhaust duct periodically. Check the outside dryer vent while the dryer is operating to make sure exhaust air is escaping. If it is not, the vent or the exhaust duct may be blocked. To remove a blockage in the exhaust path, it may be necessary to disconnect the exhaust duct from the dryer. Remember to reconnect the ducting to the dryer and outside vent before using the dryer again   Clean behind the dryer, where lint can build up. Have a qualified service person clean the interior of the dryer chassis periodically to minimize the amount of lint accumulation. Keep the area around the dryer clean and free of clutter.   Replace plastic or foil, accordion-type ducting material with rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct. Most manufacturers specify the use of a rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct, which provides maximum airflow. The flexible plastic or foil type duct can more easily trap lint and is more susceptible to kinks or crushing, which can greatly reduce the airflow.   Take special care when drying clothes that have been soiled with volatile chemicals such as gasoline, cooking oils, cleaning agents, or finishing oils and stains. If possible, wash the clothing more than once to minimize the amount of volatile chemicals on the clothes and, preferably, hang the clothes to dry. If using a dryer, use the lowest heat setting and a drying cycle that has a cool-down period at the end of the cycle. To prevent clothes from igniting after drying, do not leave the dried clothes in the dryer or piled in a laundry basket

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