ORLANDO, Fla. – It’s almost 2024 and as we all know, the current year never goes without a bang.
That’s why state officials are out with some timely fireworks advice, doing their part to help keep you from starring in any post-holiday stories about pyrotechnics burning homes and causing injuries.
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Florida’s Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis wants state residents to keep pets inside, to avoid using unapproved fireworks and to leave the big shells to the professionals.
“There are going to be displays all over the state. Enjoy your time with your family and allow somebody else to enjoy the responsibility of igniting the fireworks,” he said, adding that children should also be kept a safe distance away. “Err on the side of caution. If you have got a dud, don’t try to reignite it. If it didn’t ignite, you probably just need to go and throw it away. Make sure if you are playing with any sparklers, make sure you are only using approved sparklers.”
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Per state statutes, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are two of the only “designated holidays” during which fireworks may be used in Florida for purposes other than frightening birds away from agricultural works or fish hatcheries. The term “fireworks” is defined in the statutes as “any combustible or explosive composition or substance or combination of substances or, except as hereinafter provided, any article prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration, or detonation.”
One must be mindful of local ordinances which may prevent the use of fireworks in a city or locality outright. In Volusia County, for example, fireworks are not allowed on any beaches.
According to the nonprofit National Safety Council, one should be sure to follow these tips when using legal consumer fireworks:
- Never allow young children to handle fireworks
- Older children should use them only under close adult supervision
- Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol
- Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear
- Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands
- Never light them indoors
- Only use them away from people, houses and flammable material
- Never point or throw fireworks at another person
- Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting
- Never ignite devices in a container
- Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks
- Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding
- Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire
- Never use illegal fireworks
Citing the National Fire Protection Association, the NSC said that fireworks start an average of 19,000 fires each year and sparklers account for more than 25% of emergency room visits for fireworks injuries, as they burn at around 2,000 degrees.
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