Fireworks sales may be a booming business this time of year, with store displays and pop-up stands all over town, but lighting the wrong fuses can get you in trouble.
Being able to buy fireworks does not mean you can actually use them, since many of them are illegal in Tucson. While cities and counties canβt legally prohibit the sale of fireworks, they can restrict or prohibit their use.
Novelty fireworks that are legal include hand-held sparklers no longer than 10 inches, toy smoke devices such as smoke balls and snakes, party poppers and drop caps.
Ground spinners, sparkling-wheel devices, cylindrical, square and cone fountains, as well as California rocket-shaped fountains, are permitted seasonally. That means you can use them now through July 6 for Independence Day, and again from Dec. 24 through Jan. 3.
Fireworks that detonate in the air are illegal to use within city limits and in the unincorporated areas of Pima County. That include bottle rockets, skyrockets, Roman candles, helicopters, firecrackers, jumping jacks, M-80s and the like.
If you get caught setting off illegal fireworks, youβll end up paying a civil fine of $1,000.
Of course, the physical dangers are the real risk. According to the Mayo Clinic, even sparklers β thought to be relatively safe β can lead to blindness and serious burns. Other larger fireworks can leave users without fingers and even limbs. Hearing loss is common among fireworks users as well, Mayo warns.
Here are some safety tips from the National Safety Council:
- Never allow young children to handle fireworks.
- Light fireworks outdoors in a clear area away from onlookers, houses and flammable materials.
- Light one device at a time, and maintain a safe distance after lighting.
- Never ignite devices in a container.
- Keep a bucket of water or a hose nearby to extinguish fireworks that donβt go off or in case of a fire.
