Fireworks may the best known way to celebrate the Fourth of July, but police and fire officials are reminding Kent residents to be safe while having a good time on what will probably be the busiest weekend of the year for firefighters.
“There is no comparison,” said Captain Kyle Ohashi of the Kent Fire Department. “Our call volume is going to be many times what it normally is.”
This year, with the weather as dry as its been, firefighters are asking residents to be extra careful in their holiday revelry.
“All fireworks are dangerous, even the legal ones,” Ohashi said. “There are no safe fireworks.”
Saturday is the last day anyone in the city of Kent can purchase any fireworks as well as the only day of the year it is legal to light them. Residents are also reminded that not all fireworks available in the state are legal in the city and that resident who light off illegal fireworks face the possibility of a fine or even charges if caught.
Among the fireworks illegal in Kent are firecrackers, missile-type rockets with fins, and other fireworks with fins or sticks, including all bottle rockets.
Also illegal are M-80s, M-100s, cherry bombs, tennis balls filled with explosive material, pipe bombs and any altered or homemade fireworks and explosives.
“Those are not only illegal but you’re really taking a chance by breaking several laws,” Ohashi said, adding that the fire department calls the bomb squad to deal with homemade devices. “A lot of these homemade devices are extremely unstable.”
According to the city, those fireworks are illegal because they are larger than those allowed by law or contain chemicals or quantities of chemicals in excess of allowed amounts. Tempering with or altering fireworks is illegal under both federal and state statutes.
Officials also advise parents to keep kids away from fireworks, as well as keeping pets indoors during any displays. Fire officials also recommend putting all used fireworks – as well as duds – in a bucket of water, as well as keeping a hose nearby to put out stray sparks.
“Do not try to re-light it,” Ohashi said of duds.
The fire department also advises residents to wear eye protection, light only one firework at a time and never throw fireworks or light them in your hand.
It is also illegal to light fireworks in public parks or on school grounds and they should never be lit inside.
Ohashi said the fire department expects to be busy this weekend. Ohashi said the city of Kent has been fortunate over the past few years in that Fourth of July has come and gone without any serious injuries or major losses due to fires.
However, Ohashi said, in 2006, firefighters responded to a single-family home that was set ablaze by an errant bottle rocket landing on the roof. A few years earlier, a building in the Springwood apartment complex burned to the ground when fireworks were intentionally shot through a window.
Ohashi recommends that residents take in the professional show at Lake Meridian instead of taking a risk with their own fireworks, but has simple advice for those who choose to make their own shows.
“Use your common sense,” he said.
BOX:
Fireworks are illegal to purchase or light in the city of Kent except for the Fourth of July holiday. Fireworks can legally be sold from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. through July 4.
Fireworks may only be discharged legally within the city from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 4. King county residents may legally discharge fireworks from 9 a.m. to midnight.
For more information visit http://www.ci.kent.wa.us/fireprevention/index.aspx?id=2730
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