Mississippi Power urges customers to follow safe practices during July 4th weekend
Gulfport, Miss. – As Independence Day approaches, Mississippi Power wants customers to stay safe while they enjoy the national holiday.
While fireworks are a popular way to celebrate, they can also pose a public safety threat if used incorrectly. Follow these tips to keep your family and friends safe this week:
- Keep fireworks away from powerlines. If you choose to use consumer fireworks, only use fireworks in an open space and ensure there is no chance that fireworks or firework sparks will come into contact with power poles, powerlines or other electrical equipment.
- Maintain a safe distance. Keep children and other spectators at least 20 feet away and upwind from where the fireworks will be set up. Only a responsible adult should handle fireworks and should immediately retreat after lighting the fuse.
- Have water within reach. Make sure a bucket of water, a hose or a fire extinguisher is nearby in case of a fire or to soak malfunctioning fireworks or sparklers.
- Follow local laws and guidelines. Familiarize yourself with the local rules and regulations concerning fireworks in your area. Strictly abide by all regulations and restrictions set forth by authorities.
- Check out a professional firework show. Consider attending a public firework display that is designed to maximize both protection and entertainment for everyone in attendance.
Most importantly, keep safety first when celebrating this week. Call 911 if there is an accident that involves fireworks contacting a power line. If you notice any downed lines, do not approach them and call 1-800-487-3275.
Now in its 99th year of operations, Mississippi Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), produces safe, reliable and affordable energy for more than 192,000 customers in 23 southeast Mississippi counties. Mississippi Power was recognized by the Edison Electric Institute with an Emergency Response Award in 2023. The company was also a recent recipient of the Community Partner Impact Award from the Center for Energy Workforce Development for its innovative and ongoing efforts to build a diverse workforce. With nearly 160 megawatts of approved solar energy capacity, Mississippi Power is the largest partner in providing renewable energy in the state of Mississippi. Visit our websites at mississippipower.com and mississippipowernews.com, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
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