Fireworks are Illegal in Arizona
Date:
06/29/2010Summary:
The City of Yuma, Yuma Police Department, and Yuma Fire Department want to remind everyone that fireworks are illegal in the State of Arizona.Contact:
Yuma, Arizona - The City of Yuma, Yuma Police Department, and Yuma Fire Department want to remind everyone that fireworks are illegal in the State of Arizona.
The definition of "fireworks", according to the Arizona Revised Statue 36-1601, means any combustible or explosive composition, substance or combination of substances, or any article prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration or detonation, and toy cannons in which explosives are used, the type of balloon which requires fire underneath to propel it, firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, roman candles, daygo bombs, sparklers or other fireworks of like construction, fireworks containing any explosive or combustible compound, and any tablet or other device containing an explosive substance.
It is unlawful to sell, offer or expose for sale, use, explode or possess any fireworks.
Arizona Governor Brewer signed legislation earlier this year that legalizes sparklers, but this does not go into effect until December 1, 2010.
Yuma Police Chief Jerry Geier said, "The Yuma Police Department wants the residents and our visitors to have an enjoyable Fourth of July. Remember fireworks are illegal and sparklers are still illegal. Those in possession of fireworks may be subject to arrest."
The Yuma Police Department encourages the public to do their part by not possessing or using any fireworks and promptly reporting suspected use or possession to the police department.
According to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) research, every Fourth of July, thousands of people (most often children and teens) are injured while using consumer fireworks. Despite the dangers of fireworks, few people understand the associated risks - devastating burns, other injuries, fires, and even death.
There are far more U.S. fires reported on a typical Independence Day than on any other day, and fireworks account for more than half of those fires, more than any other cause of fires. In 2008, fireworks caused an estimated 22,500 reported fires, including 1,400 structure fires, 500 vehicle fires, and 20,600 outside and other fires. These fires resulted in an estimated $42 million in direct property damage.
US hospital emergency rooms treated more than 7,000 people for fireworks related injuries in 2008 and nearly nine out of ten of those injuries involved fireworks that Federal regulations permit consumers to use. The highest rates of injuries were for children aged 5 to 9 years old. Even those sold as "safe and sane" fireworks (meaning, they don't blow up or fly), like sparklers, reach temperatures of over 1000 degrees, leaving your child with a red hot piece of metal in their hand. More than half of all fireworks injuries are from burns.
According to a recently released NFPA report, from 2001 to 2005, an average of 1 person per year was killed in fires started by fireworks, while 6 people per year were killed directly by the fireworks themselves.
Fireworks are illegal in the state of Arizona, but with statistics like these, do you really need a law to convince you or your children not to use fireworks? Yuma has several professional fireworks displays planned. Have a happy and safe 4th of July and don't play with fireworks. It's the law, and the safe thing to do.
For More Information
For further information, please contact Greg Hyland, CPM, the City of Yuma's Director of Communications & Public Affairs at (928) 373-5023 or by e-mail or Dave Nash, City of Yuma Public Affairs Coordinator at (928) 373-5015 or by e-mail.
