Stay safe with fireworks this Fourth of July season

By Richard Dyer
Mail | X: @RHDyer

The city of Apache Junction and Superstition Fire and Medical District are using social media and other digital platforms to get the word out about the dangers of illegal and legal fireworks ahead of the July Fourth holiday.

Not extinguishing fireworks after their use has caused fires and damaged homes, SFMD Deputy Fire Marshal Tina Gerola said in an email.

“We have responded to garbage can/bin fires around the July Fourth holiday from folks not making sure the fireworks were properly cooled and extinguished before throwing them away. These fires can extend to the home — it has happened — if the garbage can is placed too close to the home,” she said.

All aerial and exploding fireworks are illegal in Arizona. Some examples are sky or bottle rockets, firecrackers and aerial fireworks. Embers from these can spread to trees, landscapes and rooftops, and cause damage or start a fire, SFMD posts to social media will say.

Although ground spinners, sparklers and other consumer fireworks are legal, they pose a risk of causing devastating burns, injuries and even death. There is no safe way to use fireworks, but if you do, fire department officials say to remember to properly extinguish them before discarding in the trash can. If not completely soaked with water and cooled, the heat left in them can cause a fire in the trash can and beyond, fire and medical district posts to social media will say.

In addition to safety around fireworks, the district’s social media posts leading up to the Fourth of July will focus on safety messaging on human-caused wildfire danger, Gerola said.

“As we all know, wildfires are spreading across our state and we fear the use of fireworks will increase this and spark one in our community. The proper extinguishment of fireworks will also be addressed,” she said.

“Leave the fireworks to the professionals. There is no safe way to use fireworks, so we are encouraging everyone join us at the city’s July Fourth event,” Gerola said.

The fire district provides fire suppression, fire prevention, wildland protection, advanced life support, rescue, extrication and medical transportation services out of five fire stations in Apache Junction and Gold Canyon.

City focus

In addition to promoting the city’s July Fourth events and fireworks planned at Superstition Shadows Park, 1091 W. Southern Ave., safety messages are to be posted on city and department digital platforms such as social media, the website and email to encourage the safe use of fireworks, said Kayla Fulmer, the city’s marketing and communications director, in an email.

“(T)he city’s annual Fourth of July Fireworks celebration ... not only offers a whole slate of fun activities for residents of all ages, but features a fireworks extravaganza show that is managed by a professionally licensed pyrotechnic company, conducted in a secured area and includes assigned fire district personnel,” she said.

As in previous years, social media is to used with a variety of graphics, videos and other information to remind residents fireworks can put off high heat and have the potential to cause serious danger or injury, as well as fire risk in the dry desert climate, Fulmer said.

“Ultimately our biggest priority is ensuring the safety of our community while they celebrate, and it is our hope that communicating the above will ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday for all,” she said.

Fun fireworks alternatives suggested by the city instead of using fireworks include glow sticks, Silly String or outdoor movies.

For those who choose to use fireworks, the city’s offers tips to encourage they are enjoyed safely:

• Always use fireworks outdoors and keep a bucket of water or a hose nearby in case of accidents.
• Never place a part of your body directly over a firework or hold a firework in your hand when lighting.
• Light only one firework at a time.
• Designate a safe perimeter to keep people safely away from fireworks.
• Never allow children to play with or light fireworks, including sparklers.
• Make sure you are only using fireworks that are legal in the area and only purchase fireworks that are labeled for consumer — not professional — use.
• Don’t forget to safely secure your animals, as even nearby fireworks have the potential of causing them stress and resulting in lost pets.

Richard H. Dyer can be reached at rdyer@iniusa.org, or on X @rhdyer. To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.

Richard Dyer
Managing Editor | East Valley

rdyer@iniusa.org

Meet Richard
Richard Dyer has worked at Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA since 1987, starting his career in Apache Junction as a copy editor and being promoted over the years to work as the editor of the Mesa Independent, news services editor for the East Valley office in Apache Junction, managing editor for the East Valley office, news services editor for the East Valley office and eventually also for the newspapers at INI’s then-Chandler office, managing editor again and as a news editor covering Apache Junction/Gold Canyon and Queen Creek. He helped start the Florence Independent while the news editor covering Apache Junction and Mesa news. In January 2023, he became associate managing editor for the East Valley newspapers and in August 2023 became managing editor for the East Valley newspapers of Chandler/Tempe, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Florence, Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, while also reporting on Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon.  

Community: Since 2009, he has worked as a volunteer to design The Blue Guitar Magazine, Blue Guitar Jr. magazine and Unstrung magazine, which are projects of The Arizona Consortium for the Arts; and since 2014, has been overseeing the art submissions. 

Education: University of Arizona with a master of arts in journalism and a bachelor of science in agricultural communication. Also continuing education at Mesa Community College in welding in a metal art sculpture class.

Random fact: Saw his first tornado on May 31, 2010, which was classified as an EF-2, as part of a stormchasing tour group.

Hobbies: He is an artist of welded-steel sculptures, selling his artwork at juried and non-juried art shows.