Avoid fireworks damage and fines this New Year’s
Dec 31, 2014, 5:00 AM | Updated: 5:00 am
The Scottsdale Fire Department is urging residents to exercise extreme caution on New Year’s Eve and the following day if they plan on setting off fireworks and want to remind residents that every city has its own laws and restrictions when it comes to fireworks.
“The Arizona Legislature allows the sale of consumer fireworks from December 10 through January 3. It also allows for use in Maricopa and Pima counties from December 24 through January 3,” said Jim Ford, deputy chief of the Scottsdale Fire Department. “Here in the city of Scottdale, we needed to toughen things up. For example, no one under the age of 18 can purchase fireworks.”
The Scottsdale Fire Department urges residents to check local laws and use common sense and reminds residents to set off fireworks where allowed but away from buildings, structures and people.
According to the National Fire Prevention Association, in 2011, fireworks caused an estimated 17,800 reported fires, including 1,300 total structure fires, 400 vehicle fires and 16,300 outside and other fires. These fires resulted in eight deaths, 40 people who suffered injury and $32 million in property damage.
