Florida - The State of Florida's Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Fire Marshall Jimmy Patronis have released several firework safety tips to help Floridians celebrate New Year's Eve safely.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, three people are killed and $43 million in property damage is sustained every year due to fireworks. In the State of Florida, the only legal fireworks are those purchased for state-approved agricultural or industrial practices.
Floridians are also urged to refrain from signing waivers to buy fireworks that are illegal for personal use. Local law enforcement is tasked with enforcing the State's firework laws. If caught using illegal fireworks, a person is still responsible even if they sign a waiver at the point of purchase. More information on firework enforcement can be found here.
If you choose to celebrate the new year with fireworks, you are advised to abide by the following safety tips:
Floridians are encouraged to attend public firework displays organized by local communities if they plan to drink alcohol. If your family plans to use sparklers, it should be known that sparklers can reach temperatures of 1,300+ degrees, which is at least 200 degrees hotter than the flame of a butane lighter. A list of state-approved sparklers can be found here.
"Since 2014, Florida firefighters have responded to more than 50 fireworks-related incidents accounting for more than $1.5 million in property loss,” said Patronis. “It’s important to use precaution while celebrating on New Year’s Eve as fireworks can destroy property, cause serious burns and can pose a serious threat to the safety of our communities. Leave the fireworks shows to the professionals so you can avoid becoming a part of these devastating statistics."
Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.
