MFD: Play it safe on New Year’s Eve

While there’s nothing wrong with ringing in the New Year with a bang, the Maricopa Fire Department encourages residents to stay “safe and sane” for those planning to use fireworks.

While legal to buy, use of fireworks within city limits is banned per city ordinance and the 2006 International Fire Code. This includes fireworks permitted by the state.

Sparklers and other novelties such as snappers, party poppers, glow worms, snakes and toy smoke are permitted, but should be used with caution.

“Sparklers burn at 3,000 degrees, and 3,000 degrees and a loose-fitting T-shirt can be a fatal combination,” said Brad Pitassi, MFD senior public information officer.

Pitassi said there should always be adult supervision whenever sparklers and other novelties are used, and that real fireworks should only be shot off by people who know what they are doing.

“Leave it in the hands of the professionals and stick with the novelties,” he said.

Mark Boys, division chief for fire prevention, said there have been no documented fires in Maricopa caused by fireworks.

The biggest concern for MFD, he said, is that while using fireworks within city limits is illegal, municipalities in Arizona cannot prohibit the sale of fireworks within their jurisdictions.