Thursday, July 02, 2009

Exploding Fireworks Not Legal In Florida

Ready For A Safe 4th Of July? Only Sparklers Are Allowed

LABELLE, FL. -- Under Florida law, only sparklers, approved by the Florida Division of State Fire Marshal, are legal for consumer usage. However, an exemption in the law allows for the use of un-approved fireworks for agricultural purpose, such as frightening birds from agricultural works and fish hatcheries.

Anyone using fireworks under the agricultural exemption must have a permit from the Sheriff in the county where they will use the product. Without a permit, it is illegal to use fireworks in Florida, which include: shells and mortars, multiple tube devices, Roman candles, rockets and firecrackers.

As a general guideline, anything that flies through the air or explodes is not allowed for consumer use. Floridians should not sign "waivers" in order to purchase fireworks. Signing a waiver will not clear a consumer of responsibility should you be caught illegally using fireworks, which is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

There is still a risk of injury with the use of legal sparklers. When lit, some sparklers can reach temperatures between 1,300 and 1,800 degrees - at least 200 degrees hotter than a standard butane lighter. For a list of hundreds of sparklers that are legal to use in Florida, as well as safety tips, visit the State Fire Marshal's web site at http://www.myfloridacfo.com/sfm/sparklerindex.htm.


To celebrate safely, Floridians should follow these precautions:

- Use sparklers and other legal novelties on a flat, hard surface. Do not light them on grass.

- Use sparklers in an open area. Keep children and pets at least 30 feet away from all ignited sparklers.

- Light only one item at a time and never attempt to re-light a "dud."

- Don't use any unwrapped items or items that may have been tampered with.

- Keep a fire extinguisher or water hose on-hand for emergencies. It's a good idea to drop used sparklers in a bucket of water.

- Only purchase fireworks from licensed vendors.

- Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.

- Never have any portion of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse.

- Never carry sparklers in your pocket or shoot them off in metal or glad containers.

7 comments:

  1. Anonymous11:14 PM

    Why is this even a law? We called the fine folks at the Hendry County Sheriff's office on the 4th. We were told that no one was available b/c they were all very busy. The rudest person I've ever spoken to, Suzy, at dispatch was just so rosey and pleasent. All of our neighbors as well as ourselves called in complaints up until 11:15 p.m., no one ever came. They could hear the mortors and things going off while on the phone with us but we got nothing. We are filing a formal complaint with the Sheriff, Mayor and commissioners about this. What a waste of my taxpayer money, when Suzy said "well we can't help you" that was the icing on the cake, my 11 month old was scared to death over all of this but it just wasn't important. So it must not be too illegal.

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  2. Anonymous7:44 PM

    I can't tell you where the on-duty cops were, but I have seen first-hand how the off-duty cops are busy on the 4th exploding illegal fireworks at their own back-yard parties. Like so many other crimes and infractions, it's only illegal if you are NOT a cop. I could name six or eight Hendry County deputies right off the top of my head, who I have seen throwing firecrackers and shooting off roman candles and other cool fireworks, on the 4th, just in the last 2 or 3 years. I don't agree with the stupid law, but I do think that cops should not be immune to the laws that are imposed on the rest of us.

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  3. Anonymous11:42 AM

    this stupid law should be just repealed.

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  4. Anonymous12:58 AM

    In addition to the firecrackers themselves being illegal, I'm thinking it must be a violation of noise ordinances. Frankly, I don't care if you blow your stinkin' hand off, I just don't want your perceived right to party to interfere with my right to sleep. Really want to drive up in front of their house tomorrow at 6:00 a.m. and lay on the horn for about 20 minutes, but don't want to affect the innocents the way they do.

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  5. Anonymous5:35 AM

    Well you need to know about American Revolutionary War ,And on 1775–1783 they didn't buy America form the British with money , they have a war and paid with blood , body and soul . its right that every 4th of July we salute the brave solder give there live in this country on 1783 when the war ended. or may be you need rule by the British Iron Law they had back then. Its your independence right to the 4th of July . And I.m really sorry about the solder give there live for nothing for this country so we cant salute them on the 4th of July .

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  6. Anonymous4:11 PM

    Its our right

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  7. Anonymous4:12 PM

    You people just don't like other people having fun. Its a fun thing to pop fireworks if your kid is scared hes SOFT!

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