Article Contributed on: 6/30/2009 11:29:08 AM
The recent soggy weather that has doused much of the metro area with rain in recent weeks will help keep fire danger low, but safety officials are still urging residents to skip personal fireworks this season.
At least three communities in the north metro area are banning all personal fireworks this season in the hopes residents will instead opt for professional displays put on by the city. In Adams County, Thornton, Commerce City and Federal Heights are going with a zero-tolerance policy - no fireworks whatsoever are allowed within city limits.
If you can light them, they are illegal and violators will be issued a summons inthose cities. Thornton residents who have already purchased fireworks are asked to drop them off at any Thornton Fire Station, where they will be disposed of.
The issue of fireworks is somewhat of a paradox for residents in the area. Everything from sparklers and spinners to bottle rockets and Black Cats are available at a number of fireworks stands along Federal Boulevard in unincorporated Adams County, but it's illegal to set them off or even possess them in some neighboring cities.
The illegal fireworks, however, are located in the restricted section for shoppers with out-of-state IDs and vehicle registrations.
Though lighting off a bottle rocket or a spinner can be considered part of the Fourth of July tradition, fire officials say the danger is simply not worth the risk.
"I can appreciate the fact that everyone has their own family traditions," said Wendy Forbes, public information officer for the North Metro Fire Rescue District. "But I would also urge them to start a new one and begin attending a professional fireworks display instead."
Forbes concedes the risk of igniting a fire is relatively low this year given all the rain. Even during a drier season, the North Metro Fire District typically responds to only a handful of incidents in which fireworks set off a blaze, she said.
The main issue, she said, is that of personal safety. Fireworks can lead to any number of injuries, including burns, cuts and sprains, she said.
The most dangerous fireworks are actually the ones thought to be the most innocuous - sparklers - followed closely by firecrackers, rockets, roman candles and fountains, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Children under 15 experience nearly half of those injuries, according to the association.
Still, some cities allow for looser regulations. The cities of Westminster and Brighton, for instance, allow the use of "non-explosive" pyrotechnics that are not intended to leave the ground or create a loud noise. They include cylindrical or cone fountains, glow worms, explosive auto alarms, ground spinners and wheels, party poppers, snakes, sparklers and toy smoke devices.
The cities of Northglenn and Broomfield largely follow state law, which prohibits the use of any fireworks that explode or leave the ground. Violators will be issued a summons and will likely pay fines based on the amount of fireworks in their possession.
FIREWORKS REGULATIONS
Here's a breakdown of the rules and regulations for cities in the north metro area:
City and County of Broomfield
Any fireworks that explode or leave the ground are illegal and violators will be issued a summons with fines of up to $1,000 and 90 days in jail (state law)
Westminster
Fireworks that explode, emit a loud bang, leave the ground or fly through the air are prohibited and violators will be issued a summons. On July 4, the city will allow the use of "non-explosive" pyrotechnics that are not intended to leave the ground or create a loud noise. They include cylindrical or cone fountains, glow worms, explosive auto alarms, ground spinners and wheels, party poppers, snakes, sparklers and toy smoke devices. Violators will be issued a summons with fees of up to $100 plus court costs.
Thornton
No fireworks whatsoever allowed in city limits. If you can light them, it's illegal and violators will be issued a summons. Thornton residents who have already purchased fireworks are asked to drop them off at any Thornton fire station, where they will be safely disposed of.
Brighton
Fireworks that explode, emit a loud bang, leave the ground or fly through the air are prohibited and violators will be issued a summons. On July 4, the city will allow the use of "non-explosive" pyrotechnics that are not intended to leave the ground or create a loud noise. They include cylindrical or cone fountains, glow worms, explosive auto alarms, ground spinners and wheels, party poppers, snakes, sparklers and toy smoke devices.
Commerce City
All fireworks are illegal to posses, manufacture, sell, handle or use within city limits.
Northglenn
Any fireworks that explode or leave the ground are illegal and violators will be issued a summons (state law).
Unincorporated Adams County
Any fireworks that explode or leave the ground are illegal and violators will be issued a summons (state law).
Federal Heights
No fireworks whatsoever allowed in city limits. If you can light them, it's illegal and violators will be issued a summons with fines of up to $999.