Fireworks possession illegal, dangerous

With the Fourth of July falling on Saturday, law enforcement and fire officials want to remind the public that it is illegal in Arizona to set off fireworks.

"Keep it safe and leave the fireworks to the professionals," said Robby Rodriguez, spokesman for the Somerton/Cocopah Fire Department. "We encourage people to attend the free public displays. We don't want anyone making a trip to the hospital."

Rodriguez said in addition to being against the law, shooting off fireworks can also be a fire and safety hazard given the state's dry climate.

"It's just a no-win situation that is extremely dangerous," Rodriguez said. "All it would take would be someone throwing one down thinking it had burned out, then all of the sudden you have a fire."

Clint Norred, spokesman for the Yuma Police Department, said officers will be out in force during the holiday period and will respond to all unlawful firework calls. Those in possession of fireworks may be subject to arrest.

"If fireworks are found, they will be confiscated," Norred said. "There is really no need to possess or use any kind of firework."

The YPD encourages the public not to possess or use any fireworks, but to promptly reporting any illegal use or possession to the police department. 

Norred said shooting off fireworks is a Class 3 misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail and a $930 fine for a first offense.

It would be up to the judge to decide the range of penalty, he said.

Chief Jerry Geier added, “The Yuma Police Department wants the residents and our visitors to have an enjoyable Fourth of July."

A year ago on July 4, the Somerton department responded to one firework-related call, a small brush fire that was put out quickly and did not cause any property damage. 

The YPD responded to 17 firework-related calls and three shots fired calls in a 12-hour period beginning on 3 p.m. on the 4th and ending at 3 a.m. on the 5th.

According to information provided by Yuma fire inspector Kayla Holiman, hospital emergency rooms around the nation treated more than 9,000 people for fireworks related injuries in 2006.

"Have a happy and safe Fourth of July and don’t play with fireworks," Holiman said. "It’s the law, and the safe thing to do."

From 2002-2005 fireworks caused an estimated average of 30,100 fires each year, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

This included almost 20,000 grass and brush fires and 2,400 structure and vehicle fires. These fires resulted in $39 million in direct property damage. 

Holiman added that more fires are reported on the Fourth of July than on any other day, and fireworks account for half of those fires.

According to the recently released NFPA report, from 2001 to 2005, an average of one person per year was killed in fires started by fireworks, while six people per year were killed directly by the fireworks themselves. Also, the highest rates of injuries were for children 10 to 14 years old.

While the state Legislature recently passed a law allowing people 16 and older to possess sparklers, the law will not take effect by the time of this year's Fourth of July celebration.

Rodriguez said the Professional Firefighters of Arizona is "very" opposed to the law and had lobbied against it.

"We don't put matches or lighters into kid's hands, so why would we want to give them something that explodes?"

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James Gilbert can be reached at
jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.