Queen Creek residents urged to stay safe over New Year's holiday

The Queen Creek fire and police departments are asking residents to keep safety in mind over the New Year’s holiday.

Residents can now use legal fireworks through Jan. 3. Consumer fireworks that are legal in Arizona are:

• Ground and hand-held sparkling devices
• Cylindrical/cone fountains
• Illuminating torches
• Wheels
• Ground spinners
• Flitter sparklers
• Toy smoke devices
• Wire sparklers
• Dipped sticks

Illegal consumer fireworks are

• Sky rockets/bottle/missile-type rockets
• Helicopters, aerial spinners, torpedoes, roman candles, mine device
• Firecrackers
• Reloadable shell devices
• Aerials and single tube devices that are shot up into the air

Legal consumer fireworks are only allowed on private property. Those who use, discharge or ignite legal consumer fireworks are responsible and liable for expenses as a result of any emergency response.

The Queen Creek Fire & Medical Department is also reminding residents to douse used fireworks or place them in a bucket of water before disposing.

Driving during the New Year’s holiday can be particularly fraught with dangers, so the Queen Creek Police Department is reminding residents to “Drive to Arrive.”

That means:

• Don’t drink and drive
• Watch your speed
• Avoid distractions and keep your eyes on the road
• Utilize rideshare services

QCPD will continue to focus on speeding and DUI enforcement.