By Bob Burns
Mail

Many people like to ring in the New Year with the use of fireworks to celebrate, but there are rules as to what is allowed for non-professional displays.

Fountain Hills Fire Department Assistant Chief/Fire Marshal Mike Winters provides reference to the statutes.

Arizona state law outlines what is permissible as “consumer” fireworks, and when they may be used for celebration.

The list of consumer fireworks is fairly long but is limited to items that do not shoot into the sky and are generally those found packaged in retail stores. The list includes ground and handheld sparkling devices such as cylindrical fountains, cone fountains, illuminating torches, wheels, ground spinners, flitter sparklers, toy smoke devices, wire sparklers or dipped sticks and multiple tube ground fireworks manufactured in accordance with section 3.5 of the APA 87-1. Fireworks will not be sold to anyone under the age of 16.

For the purposes of the upcoming holiday, the consumer fireworks may be sold between Dec. 10 and Jan. 3. They may be used from Dec. 26 through Jan. 4.

The use of fireworks is prohibited between the hours of 11 p.m. and 8 a.m. with the exception of 11 p.m. Dec. 31, through 1 a.m. Jan. 1, when use is allowed.

Fire officials urge everyone to make safety a priority and use caution when celebrating with fireworks. Also be aware of dry conditions where vegetation may ignite from consumer fireworks.

We invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org. Bob Burns can be reached at bburns@iniusa.org.