By Gabrielle Terrett

The Vicksburg Post

Once Christmas ends, people begin making preparations for New Year’s — watch parties, resolutions and of course, lighting fireworks.

As Hale’s Firework’s yellow and red tents pop up around town, it is important to remember to use the proper safety tactics when lighting the most popular fireworks.

“People should be careful around tall dry grass because it can make sparks and catch the grass on fire,” said Mason Engling, a Hale’s Fireworks employee. “Do it away from your house, and not close to a gas station of course, and just common sense stuff. Maybe have a bucket of water on hand just in case anything catches on fire.”

In addition to fireworks safety tips, Hale’s Fireworks also offers some of the most favored fireworks items.

The tents are set up in different areas around town and are open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on most days.

Tons of fireworks are displayed in the tents and there is a great variety for all ages.

“Children love the snaps. You can throw them on the ground and they pop and the party poppers are pretty cool too,” Engling said. “But kids usually like the fireworks that scoot on the ground and light up.

“The most popular thing I’d say is bottlerockets. Everybody that comes in gets bottle rockets and our artillery shells are a close second to those. You load a bomb into a tube, it lights up and makes a big aerial display.”

As 2018 comes closer to an end, Hale’s Fireworks continues to see a rise in sales.

“Firework sales are starting to pick up a little bit,” Engling said. “People are spending their Christmas money on fireworks and it seems like towards the first is when they really start to pick things up.”