Law officers and firefighters are asking people to heed Florida law on fireworks for a safe and fun Fourth of July.
“I will keep preaching this until somebody listens: Fireworks in the state of Florida are illegal,” said Sammy Sanchez, fire marshal for the South Walton Fire District. “They always have been. This is not a new law.”
“Firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, Roman candles, dago bombs, and any fireworks containing any explosives or flammable compound or any tablets or other device containing any explosive substance.” are banned, according to Florida law.
“If it flies in the air or explodes, it’s illegal,” said Nicole Wagner, spokeswoman for the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Sparklers, noisemakers and other devices that stay on the ground are legal.
Misdemeanor charges are possible for those caught with illegal fireworks, but deputies typically just confiscate them, Wagner said.
“Deputies are not out to spoil anyone’s fun,” she said.
Even legal fireworks are dangerous. Sparklers can reach 1,200 degrees, Sanchez said.
Adults always should supervise children around fireworks, said Joe Early, fire safety inspector with the Holley-Navarre Fire District.
Early also recommended keeping a bucket of water nearby, not only for emergencies but to dunk fireworks into to ensure they’re out.
If a device doesn’t go off, leave it alone, Early said.
Revelers should keep fireworks on concrete or a road and away from dry vegetation, he added.
“If it’s dry, there’s a potential of a small brush fire,” Early said.
Many people believe the beach is the perfect place for fireworks, Sanchez said. However, if a firework hits an endangered animal or vegetation, the user could face more serious charges, he said.
