C 2 • Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader
c ele br a t e i nd e p e nd e nce day
Tips for a fun, safe Fourth of July Fireworks do’s and don’ts
Three Bs of fireworks safety
Chris Tucker ctucker@ptleader.com Colorful fireworks will burst throughout the sky as the U.S. marks its 241st year of independence July 4. As many households light fireworks this year, officials want the public to exercise common sense and follow the law to minimize risk of injury and fire. Here are some basics: No fireworks in Port Townsend: Possession, discharge or sales of any fireworks is illegal within Port Townsend city limits without the appropriate license or permit. Not in parks: Fireworks are not allowed in city, county, state or national parks or forestlands. Major fireworks show to be at Fort Worden: A large “Old School” public fireworks show is to be held for the third year in a row 4-10 p.m. at Fort Worden State Park, 200 Battery Way, in Port Townsend. About 3,000-5,000 people are expected to attend, according to Megan Claflin, public relations director for Fort Worden. Attendees are encourage to carpool, bicycle or walk to the event. Disabled people should bring their ADA pass for a closer parking spot. The event will be at the park’s large parade grounds and is to feature live entertainment, food vendors, a beer garden, a hot air balloon, field games, free root beer floats, miniature golf, tug of war and a glorious display of fireworks. The show is hosted by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, Thunderbull Productions, The City of Port Townsend, East Jefferson Fire and Rescue, Fort Worden Public Development Authority, Washington State Parks, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and 1st Security Bank. An employee at the Port Ludlow Fire Department said she did not think there were any public fireworks shows scheduled for that area. LEGAL IN COUNTY Jefferson County follows state law when it comes to fireworks. Sales of consumer fireworks, where allowed, begin June 28 and end at 9 p.m. July 5. According to state law, fireworks (where legal) may be ignited between these hours:
People are reminded of the three B’s of fireworks safety: • Be prepared: Have water nearby, keep fireworks out of children’s reach and put pets indoors. • Be safe: Only adults should light fireworks. Do not hold fireworks in your hand. • Be responsible: Clean up fireworks debris and soak spent fireworks in water.
Fireworks are not allowed in the City of Port Townsend and that includes in all parks in Jefferson County. But those old-fashioned sparklers are not allowed. See story below for details.
noon to 11 p.m. on June 28; 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. June 29 through July 3; 9 a.m. to midnight on July 4; and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 5. Legal fireworks suitable for use in Jefferson County’s unrestricted areas include novelty and smoke items, sparklers, flitter sparklers, cone fountains, mine/shells, smoke-device wheel cakes (up to 500 grams), aerial spinners, ground spinners, helicopters, cylindrical fountains, illuminating torches, Roman candles and reloadable mortars (up to 1.75 inches). Bottle rockets, missile-type rockets, firecrackers and chasers are legal on tribal lands only. Federally illegal explosive devices that are not legal to possess or discharge anywhere include M-80s or larger, cherry
bombs, tennis ball bombs and altered fireworks. Do not light fireworks indoors or near dry grass. Purchase of fireworks over the internet is illegal. In Washington state, fireworks must be purchased from a licensed retail fireworks stand during the legal sales period. Orders for fireworks cannot be placed over the internet or posted on websites. “I’d remind people that even though our summer has been mild so far, we’re forecasted to experience sunny, dry weather over the next 10 days or so and area grass and brush will dry out fast, increasing the chance of accidental fire from fireworks,” said Bill Beezley, public information officer for East Jefferson Fire Rescue.
FIRE SAFETY According to the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), a bureau of the Washington State Patrol, most fireworksrelated fires and injuries occur on July 4. Some illegal fireworks can be as powerful as a stick of dynamite and can ignite accidentally or prematurely and produce shrapnel that can cause amputations or eye injuries. In 2015, there were 481 fireworksrelated emergency incidents in Washington resulting in $627,080 in property loss, 241 injuries and 240 fires according to the OSFM. Of the 241 injuries in 2015, 72 were second-degree burns, 58 were trauma, 41 were multiple injury, 39 were first-degree burns and 19 were amputations. Most injuries were to the head, arms and hands. The two most common causes of the injury was being too close to lit fireworks and holding fireworks in hands. There were no fatalities involving consumer fireworks in 2015, but there was one fatality that involved a homemade pipe bomb that blew up as it was being built. MOST INCIDENTS ON 4th Injury data show that men 36 years and older were most often injured by fireworks. The majority of incidents occur on July 4. Most of the dollar losses in 2015 were to residential structures ($527,650) followed by commercial property ($48,000). At the national level, fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires per year, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and 16,900 outside and other fires, according to EJFR. These fires caused an average of three deaths, 40 civilian injuries, and an average of $43 million in direct property damage.
The success of this event depends on community support. Huge thank-you’s to:
olympic research I N C O R P O R A T E D
Goodman Sanitation Rainshadow Property Elevated Ice Cream American Legion Aldrich's Morning Star Balloon
Port Townsend Food Co-op Stephen Sklar - Edward Jones Cellar Door Kiwanis KPTZ Alba Creative
Carol Wise - Coldwell Banker Best Homes Fruition Design All About Escrow Puget Sound Express The Printery