AEP Encourages You to Leave Fireworks to the Professionals!

Jul 4, 2012 8:05 PM ET

Many Americans will celebrate our independence with fireworks.  The best way to enjoy fireworks is to leave them to the professionals.  On Independence Day in a typical year, far more fires are reported than on any other day, according to the National Fire Prevention Association. Fireworks account for two out of five of those fires, more than any other cause of fires.

Thousands of people -- most often children and teens - are injured while using consumer fireworks, including sparklers and firecrackers. The tip of a sparkler burns at a temperature of more than 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot enough to cause third-degree burns.

This year, the heat and lack of rain increases the risk of using fireworks.  Please enjoy July 4th – but don’t take safety for granted.

AEP - American Electric Power
AEP ranks among the nation's largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S.  AEP also owns the nation's largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765 kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined.

AEP's utility units operate as AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia, West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas).