Practice fireworks safety in Queen Creek

With the New Year’s holiday fast approaching, legal consumer fireworks can be used from Dec. 26-Jan. 4, so the Queen Creek Police Department and the Queen Creek Fire & Medical Department are urging residents to use caution and obey the law.

Legal consumer fireworks include ground and hand-held sparkling devices. Any devices that rise into the air and explode/detonate or fly above the ground are illegal. These include sky/bottle rockets, reloadable shell devices, aerial shells, and single-tube devices that are shot up into the air, according to the town’s website.

Legal consumer fireworks are only allowed on private property, and individuals who use, discharge or ignite such fireworks are responsible and liable for expenses in case any emergency response is required. Illegal fireworks are never permitted within the town limits.

To reduce risks associated with fireworks, the QCFMD recommends the following safety tips: 

• Adults should always supervise fireworks activities. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees and can cause serious injuries.
• Avoid buying fireworks that come in brown paper packaging, as this can often be a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and could pose a danger to consumers.

• Never have any portion of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Move back to a safe distance immediately after lighting.
• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not fully functioned.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
• Light fireworks one at a time then move back quickly.
• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
• After fireworks fully complete their functioning, douse the spent device in a bucket of water overnight before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.
• Only use legal consumer fireworks and always leave the fireworks that rise into that air (illegal for consumer use) to the professionals.

If you suspect illegal fireworks are being used in your neighborhood, contact the Queen Creek Police Department's non-emergency number at 480-358-3500.