Fireworks Safety Tips from Escambia County

Escambia County wishes residents and visitors a safe, fun July Fourth with friends and family, and reminds everyone to follow these fireworks safety tips to make the most out of their holiday. Remember: If you spot a brush or wildfire or if someone is injured, call 911.

Most fireworks are illegal in the state of Florida. It is unlawful for any person to set off fireworks without a permit. A good rule of thumb is if it flies or explodes, it is not legal in Florida. Using illegal fireworks is a first-degree misdemeanor and is a crime punishable by a $1,000 fine and up to one year in jail. 

What is illegal in Florida? 

• Personal aerial fireworks
• Personal explosive fireworks
• According to the National Fire Protection Association, fireworks cause an average of 18,500 reported fires each year. Sparklers account for roughly 25 percent of emergency room fireworks injuries. 
• There were four firework-related deaths in 2016, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and fireworks were involved in an estimated 11,100 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments in 2016. 

What is legal in Florida? 

• Over 2,000 state approved sparklers, trick noise makers, and fountains. These products have "emits a fountain or shower of sparks" on the package. These are legal anytime of the year. Read the approved list here.
• Permitted public fireworks displays

The safest way to enjoy fireworks with your family is to participate in one of the public fireworks displays:

Sertoma's 4th of July Celebration 2018 - For the 29th year, area Sertoma organizations are hosting the largest fireworks display on the Gulf Coast over Pensacola Bay on Wednesday, July 4 at 9 p.m. There will be activities throughout the day in Seville Square, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., including arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, live entertainment and a free children's area. FREE Sparks & Stars performance from the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra at the Hunter Amphitheater in Vince Whibbs Community Maritime Park is at 7:30 p.m.  

Pensacola Beach 4th of July Fireworks - 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 4. Celebrate your independence with fireworks on the sound side of the island.The best viewing spots would be from the Portofino Boardwalk or Quietwater Beach.

Flomaton-Century Fireworks Show - 3 p.m. Saturday, June 30.The event will end with a fireworks display, visible from both parks, at dusk. Concessions will also be available from Century Little League and other vendors.The show alternates between Century and Flomaton each year and is jointly funded. 

If you decide to celebrate the Fourth of July at home with sparklers, it’s important to know sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals. Here are some helpful tips to minimize your chance of accident or injury:

• Only purchase state approved sparklers from licensed vendors.
• Prior to use, be sure to read and follow all warnings and instructions.
• Only light sparklers on a flat smooth surface away from combustible materials. Do not light them on grass.
• Keep a fire extinguisher or water hose on hand for emergencies.
• Never have any portion of your body directly over the sparkler when lighting the fuse. 
• Never allow children to play or use any sparkler or novelty device without supervision.
• Do not use any unwrapped item that may have been tampered with.
• Light only one item at a time and never attempt to re-light a “dud.” Discard of all products safely. 
• Submerge used and “dud” sparklers in water prior to placing in household trash receptacles.

Fireworks and Pets

Unlike people, pets don’t associate the noise, flashes and burning smell of fireworks with celebration. As a result, fireworks can cause a great deal of stress for some pets. Unexpected behavior may be displayed by your pet while trying to escape from the loud noises including jumping a fence to find safety, running away or “flight from fright,” destruction of yard or household items and biting. Please follow these tips:

• Do not take your pet to fireworks displays.
• Do not leave your pet in the car while you watch a fireworks display. In only a matter of minutes, the heat in a car can cause serious health problems or even death. A stressed animal can also cause major damage to the interior of your car.
• Be mindful of hot asphalt and sand. Keeping your dog on hot asphalt or sand even for short periods of time can cause severe burns to the pads of their feet.
• Keep pets indoors. Turn on the TV or radio as a distraction and close the curtains.
• Never leave pets unattended outside, not even in a fenced yard or on a chain, if you are near a fireworks display or if your neighbors are lighting small fireworks. They may try to run away or become tangled up in their chain.
• Provide a pet bed or crate in a quiet place to create a small den-like atmosphere and a sense of security.
• If you must be outside with your pet, keep the pet on a leash or in a carrier at all times.
• Make sure your pet has proper identification tags with current information in case they run away.
• If your pet often becomes stressed during periods of loud noise like thunderstorms, check with your veterinarian to see if a tranquilizer is appropriate for your pet.
• Shelters often see an increase in lost pets after fireworks displays. If your pet becomes lost, post and search for lost pets at myescambia.com/animalshelter or call 850-595-3075.