Fireworks Safety Tips from the Fire Marshal

There is currently no fire or fireworks ban in Hillsborough County. However, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue is closely monitoring the current drought conditions. If conditions worsen, the Fire Marshal may make a fire or fireworks ban recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners for unincorporated Hillsborough County only.

Should a fire or fireworks ban not be made in the coming weeks and you wish to celebrate our nation’s heritage, the state permits the use of sparklers and other devices in which paper caps containing twenty-five hundredths grains or less of explosive compound are used, such as the following: novelties and trick noisemakers - snakes or glow worms, smoke devices, trick noisemakers, party poppers, booby traps, snappers, trick matches, cigarette loads, and auto burglar alarms.

Be sure to follow these safety guidelines as sparklers are the cause of a significant number of burns every year:

• Only persons over the age of 12 should be allowed to handle sparklers of any type.
• Use fireworks outdoors only.
• Wear safety glasses.
• Keep lit sparklers at arm's length, away from your face, body or clothing, or someone nearby.
• Keep lit sparklers away from flammable materials, such gasoline, hair spray or alcohol, and brush, leaves and homes.
• Do not grab the burned or burning portion of a sparkler, as they are hot and can cause serious burns.
• Never relight a "dud" firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
• Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Have a "designated shooter."
• Dispose of used sparklers in a bucket of water or sand or on a metal tray.
• Once cool, dispose of the used sparkler wires in the trash.
• Always have water handy. (A hose or bucket).

For detailed safety tips, refer to the National Council on Fireworks Safety website - fireworksafety.com