Community Corner

Stay Safe With Fireworks On the Fourth

With Independence Day coming up, the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) would like to remind citizens of regulations on fireworks safety.

With Independence Day coming up, the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) would like to remind citizens of regulations on fireworks safety. Since the Puyallup Police and Puyallup Tribal Police discovered a large cache of fireworks, much of which was illegal, on June 20, the reminder is especially timely.

While a number of types of fireworks are legal and can be purchased and set off on July 4, consumers should be aware of the existence of illegal explosive devices. ATF Explosion Enforcement Officer Brennan Phillips demonstrated some of these devices to show their destructive abilities at the Renton Fire Department training facility.

Illegal explosives are not fireworks, and it is a federal felony to sell them. Cities have varying regulations on whether or not consumer fireworks are allowed; for instance, Kent, Maple Valley, Mercer Island and North Bend allow them to be discharged only on the Fourth of July. Most King County cities have banned them. Retail fireworks stands open June 28. Although tribal lands may have different policies than non-tribal lands, they are still under federal jurisdiction.

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Phillips said that some illegal fireworks are smuggled in from China and are mislabeled as legal consumer fireworks. One type of illegal device, a tennis ball bomb, initiated in the Northwest. Citizens can report illegal explosives to local law enforcement and call the ATF hotline at 1-888-ATF-BOMB (1-888-283-2662) or email ATFTips@atf.gov.

When it comes to using fireworks, there are three “B’s” to follow: be prepared, be safe and be responsible. Remember to light fireworks on a hard level surface, read the instructions, don’t alter or take apart the fireworks and stand at least 20 feet away when fireworks discharge. Dispose of used fireworks by soaking them in water and placing them in a metal trash can, not a plastic bag.

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