Spindle items

FIREWORK SAFETY — The Fourth of July is approaching, and with it, the time-honored tradition of patriotic firework displays. The Firemen’s Association of the State of New York urges New Yorkers to leave the handling of fireworks to the professionals.

The state recently legalized the use of certain sparkling devices, and many counties now allow the sale of these types of fireworks. Despite their legalization, sparkling devices remain dangerous in amateur hands.

According to a National Fire Protection Association report, sparklers accounted for more than a quarter, or approximately 28 percent, of all fireworks injuries in 2014. Despite their relatively benign appearance, sparklers can be extremely dangerous. The tip of a sparkler burns at a temperature of nearly 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which is as hot as a blowtorch. Furthermore, nearly half of all fires reported on Independence Day were caused by fireworks or similar devices.

In 2015, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that 67 percent of all fireworks-related injuries occurred in the month surrounding July 4, and that children and young adults younger than age 20 constituted 42 percent of all those injured.

AUXILIARY POST 838 — The Clarence American Legion Post 838 Auxiliary is seeking donations for care packages it will be assembling for troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Needed items include travel-size toiletries, aspirin, playing cards, granola bars, beef jerky, snacks, candy, cookies (no chocolate), pens, paper, small handheld games, sunscreen, socks, chewing gum, cards and notepaper, eyeglass repair kits, toothbrushes, Crystal Light packets, crackers, cans of tuna, canned meats and anything that will fit into fatigues.

Donations are being accepted now, and packaging will take place on Saturday, July 22, in Clarence Town Park.

For more information on making a donation, contact Ginger Lindner at grllindner@roadrunner.com.

You can drop off items at any of the following locations: Clarence Presbyterian Church, 9675 Main St.; St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 4007 Main St.; Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 4375 Harris Hill Road; Clarence United Methodist Church, 9750 Clarence Center Road, Our Lady of Peace Church, 10950 Main St.; Clarence Center United Methodist, 9750 Clarence Center Road; Clarence Senior Center, 4600 Thompson Road; and Clarence Youth Center, 10510 Main St.

SUMMER READING PROGRAM — State Sen. Michael H. Ranzenhofer encourages students to continue learning, even while school is out of session, by participating in his summer reading program.

The theme of this year’s program is “Build A Better World.” For more information, students and parents can log on to ranzenhofer.nysenate.gov, create a profile, record reading progress, share books on Facebook and earn a certificate.