By Joe Olivieri

Wednesday, 28 December 2011

With the end-of-year fireworks season in full swing, the Travis County Fire Marshal’s office is urging caution and recommends that residents attend public fireworks displays.

Under normal weather conditions, residents can legally buy fireworks in unincorporated areas of Travis County during the days prior to the Fourth of July and in late December. The current fireworks season began Dec. 20 and lasts until midnight Jan. 1.

It is illegal to possess and transport fireworks within City of Austin limits.

Travis County Fire Marshal Hershel Lee said residents who choose to use fireworks should be considerate of their neighbors.

“Be a good neighbor and think about the noise and if the fireworks you are discharging [will fall] on other people’s property,” he said. “[The fireworks] need to be completely under your control and [ignited] on private property you have permission to be on.”

He said fireworks cannot be used in the streets.

In a statement released Dec. 19, the fire marshal’s office wrote that each year, thousands of people are injured while using consumer fireworks.

“The result of not following safety rules and manufacturer’s recommendations is often accidental fires, devastating burn injuries and even death,” the statement read. “The Travis County Fire Marshal strongly recommends that families attend public fireworks displays rather than purchase fireworks for home use.”

The statement made the following recommendations:

Before shooting fireworks

• Children should not be allowed to buy fireworks without adult supervision
• Only buy from reliable fireworks sellers
• Never experiment or attempt to make your own fireworks
• Find a smooth, flat surface away from buildings, dry leaves or grass to use fireworks
• Have water ready in case of fire
• Always have adult supervision

When ready to shoot fireworks

• Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks
• Only ignite fireworks outdoors
• Make sure other people are out of range when igniting fireworks
• Only light one firework at a time
• Do not give sparklers to children
• Never throw fireworks at other people, vehicles or animals
• Do not use fireworks while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Dispose of spent fireworks properly

The Texas Pyrotechnic Association has published consumer safety guidelines on its website. 

This July, the Travis County Commissioners Court declared a local disaster and banned all fireworks due to extreme drought conditions.

At the Dec. 27 Commissioners Court meeting, Lee reported that the drought index was 239 on a scale of zero to 800, with zero representing complete saturation and 800 being a complete lack of moisture.

On Dec. 28, he said the current holiday forecast calls for high humidity and little to no wind, which are favorable conditions for containing the spread of fire.

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