Fireworks sales is what he does on summer vacation
Posted on Wednesday, July 2, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/bvwv/News/6632/
Jim Woods is a builder most of the year, but each summer for nearly two decades, he has taken a break from construction to pursue another venture.
Woods is the face that greets customers and the one who punches numbers on the cash register at his Uncle Sam’s fireworks stand, located off U. S. Highway 71 in Bella Vista just south of the Missouri state line.
Parked next to the big, white tent is Woods ’ small campe his home away from home where he can watch over his stand day and night.
“ It’s like a big camping trip, ” said Woods, who lives in Springdale.
But that’s not to say this is an easy type of business to run.
“ It’s a lot of work at the beginning, ” he said. “ Then it slows down; then it’s a lot of work again at the end. ”
Normal hours for the stand are 10 a. m. to 10 p. m., but with the July 4 holiday fast approaching, Woods ’ stand will be open 24 hours a day today through Friday.
The price of items can vary greatly. Some are as inexpensive as five for a dollar, while the highest-priced item is an assortment pack that runs $ 245.
“ We try to keep the prices competitive, ” Woods said.
With gas prices up and fewer people traveling this year, he wants to ease the burden so people will still be able to enjoy the holiday, he explained.
“ I was in the military before, so it’s always had a significant meaning to me, ” said Woods, who named Independence Day as his favorite holiday.
This is Woods ’ first year at the U. S. 71 location, and he is uncertain how much success he will achieve.
“ It’s trial and error at the beginning. ”
At other locations in the past, Woods has been able to do demonstrations on site, but he does not have the room to do so this year. However, he will provide any help he can to buyers.
“ I’ll always give instructions on anything. ”
Woods also has a television and a DVD player available to show customers how to safely use fireworks. He believes fireworks are a good way to celebrate the holiday, but they should be handled with caution.
“ Everybody needs to be careful. Have fun, be safe and enjoy it, ” he said.
Dr. Brad Johnson, vice president of Emergency Services for Mercy Health System, agrees, saying the Fourth of July fireworks festivities come with a friendly reminder to be careful.
"The safest way to enjoy the Fourth is to watch a professional display. For those folks who do light fireworks, I recommend extreme caution, especially if children are present," Johnson said.
Of the injuries Mercy sees each year during the fireworks season, a large percentage are related to sparklers.
"Please do not let children hold sparklers," Johnson said. "It is unfortunate that some parents let their small children hold a lit device that can reach 1, 000 degrees, but many sadly do."
The most common injuries related to fireworks are burns to the face and hands, which should be immediately flushed with cold water.
"The majority of injuries are to the head and hand. Most of the injuries to the head are primarily to the eye, and some result in permanent blindness," Johnson said. "Mercy and our team hope everyone has a safe and patriotic holiday and hope you do not need our emergency department, but if you do, as always, we are here and ready."
Tabatha Hunter, of the Benton County Daily Record, contributed to this story.