Dangers Of Fireworks For The Fourth Of July

By Adin Tarr
Published: Thursday, July 5, 2018 - 10:20am

Fireworks are a festive part of Fourth of July celebrations, but they carry serious danger, especially in Arizona’s dry climate.

Lighting fireworks in public can be a hazardous as it increases the risk of brush fires, according to Rob McDade, a captain for the Phoenix Fire Department.

“We definitely have folks that tend to want to celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks not on their own premises, which is where you need to be when you do that,” said McDade.

It is illegal to set off fireworks in a public park and are strictly intended to be used at home. Mark Justice, a deputy chief at the Gilbert Fire Department, said improper disposal of fireworks could be just as threatening.

“They’ll put them in a garbage can and go to bed that night, and at sometime during the night, their garbage can, because of the heat that’s still within those fireworks, will catch that garbage can on fire," said Justice. "A lot of times, unfortunately, that garbage can is up against the house,” 

Justice said that, to ensure safe disposal, fireworks should soak in water for 24 hours before they are thrown away.