Firework hazards revealed by exploding fruit

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Some law enforcement officers decided the best way to demonstrate the dangers of fireworks was to blow up fruit, ahead of the Fourth of July holiday. 

Florida’s Fire Marshal’s Office hoped to put a lighthearted spin on a very serious topic – in hopes of catching the attention of those celebrating with explosions in the sky this weekend.

First up: an M-1000 firecracker versus a watermelon.

"Fire in the hole!" someone yelled just before the melon blew into a thousand pieces.

"This stuff is the consistency of human flesh," said Major Brandon Ball of the Florida Fire Marshal's Office. "You saw the power of what happened. It would take somebody's hand off.”

The State Fire Marshall's Office and Tampa Police sponsored the media demonstration at TPD's training center. Officers said they would rather people not use fireworks, but if they're going to use them, be safe and follow a few tips closely:

- Supervise children
- Don't drink
- Have a bucket of water or hose handy
- Have a cell phone in case you need to call 911