July 4 among most dangerous holidays due to fireworks and poor disposal

Approximately 14,700 people sought treatment in emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries last year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. City of Tolleson Fire Chief Michael Young tells Cronkite News that firefighters throughout the Valley are dispatched to “hundreds” of locations on the Fourth of July to address not only fires but also injuries.

Dumpster fires nearly double every year during the time period when fireworks can be sold legally, says Pat Shannahan, the public information officer for non-emergency Tempe Fire Medical Rescue. In Arizona, that’s June 24 to July 6. Injuries can be caused by fireworks not being disposed of properly when thrown away.

“We live in a dry environment; it’s the summertime, firing things up into the air that can explode and fall down on your neighbor’s roof and into dry brush. That’s a recipe for disaster,” Shannahan says. “After you’re done using fireworks, you got to make sure you dispose of them properly.”

“We recommend after they’re all spent, soaking them in a pail of water and throwing them out the next day,” he adds. “So, that way you know for sure that they’re completely out.”

Red Hot Fireworks, a seasonal pop-up business that has 20 locations throughout the state, encourages safety among consumers and posts signs with fire regulations at each of its stands. The company also has safety recommendations on its website. Chief Operating Officer Joanna Noriega also advises her customers to have a water hose or bucket nearby.

“We go based off Arizona statute and what they allow us to sell,” Noriega says. “Typically, the bigger stuff gets a little bit more dangerous, so we make sure that we stay within height requirement, nothing goes up in the air, things like that.

“When it comes to other people, hopefully they’re following rules and playing it safe when it comes to those types of things, and they’re smart and living in Arizona, which is a dry state,” Noriega says.

Red Hot Fireworks is a part of the National Fireworks Association, which also provides safety guidelines on its website, Noriega says.

Fountains are the biggest seller for the company. Ground-based fireworks such as sparklers, smoke bombs and fountains are legal for personal use in Arizona, while anything that flies in the air or explodes, such as Roman candles, firecrackers or bottle rockets, are not.

Municipal-sponsored Fourth of July celebrations are also keeping safety in mind. In promoting its celebration at Veterans Park, Tolleson also provided event guidelines, including no barbecues or open flames, no alcohol and no smoking, vaping or use of any tobacco products.

“We look for things like overgrown vegetation, not just in the immediate area of where we’re going to be launching the fireworks, but in the surrounding areas embers fall, and things happen,” Young says.

When the display actually happens, firefighters will be stationed nearby in case anything in the vicinity catches fire.

For private celebrations, Young joins Shannahan and Noriega in advising having access to water nearby. He also cautioned against allowing children to use sparklers.

On its website, the Phoenix Fire Department recommends keeping spectators at a safe distance. “Data shows fireworks-related injuries where Phoenix Fire responded to treat a patient were a result of someone standing too close or being hit with a firework as it went off,” the website says.

Other recommendations include choosing safe locations away from dry grass, brush or buildings to soak fireworks after use, and to secure pets.

Cronkite News Reporter Maggie Wall contributed to this article.

For more stories from Cronkite News, visit cronkitenews.azpbs.org.