Remember These Rules About Fireworks in Lubbock County
A press release issued recently by Lubbock County Emergency Management notifies citizens of Lubbock County that there is "no mandatory restriction on the sale or use of fireworks in the unincorporated areas of Lubbock County for the 2019 Fourth of July Fireworks Season."
The City of Lubbock is an incorporated area, therefore restrictions apply within the city. "The possession and use of fireworks in the city of Lubbock is illegal and punishable with a fine of up to $1,000.00” Each municipality or special district has it's own ordinances regarding fireworks. If you aren't sure about the rules and regulations in your area, you are encouraged to ask your local fire department prior to purchasing or discharging any firework.
In order to legally purchase fireworks in the State of Texas a person must be at least 16-years-old.
The press release also included some safety tips for fireworks:
- Obey all local fireworks laws. Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
- Don’t buy fireworks in brown paper packaging, they may have been made for professional displays and are dangerous to consumers.
- Always have a water hose, bucket of water, wet towels, or fire extinguisher nearby.
- Do not hold lit fireworks, other than sparklers.
- Never throw fireworks at another person, animal, or vehicle.
- Never shoot fireworks from metal or glass containers. The container may shatter, causing serious injury or death.
- Always stand at least six feet from another person while using sparklers or other fireworks.
- Embers from sparklers are very hot and will burn skin and fabrics.
- Sparklers burn at a temperature near 2,000 degrees and the wire and sticks of sparklers will stay hot long after the sparkler has gone out. Never toss sparklers on the ground. They may catch dry grass and leaves on fire. Put spent sparklers directly in a bucket of water.
- Never hold or light more than one sparkler at a time or hand a lighted sparkler to another person.
- Never experiment with, modify, combine, or create your own fireworks. Never try to re-light a firework that did not function
- Put spent fireworks into a bucket of water or sand to put them completely out.
- When finished, clean up all fireworks debris.
When it comes to children and fireworks extra caution should be taken. Adults should avoid allowing young children to play with or light fireworks and should never leave children unattended around inflammatory items such as lighters, matches or fire starters.
Lubbock County Emergency Management suggests very close adult supervision for children under 12-years-old when handling sparklers or any other fireworks and reminds adults to never hold a child in your arms while using sparklers. Proper handling of fireworks and sparklers should be taught to children.
For more information about fireworks safety and outdoor burning, see the links below:
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