Fireworks Laws and Safety Information 2019
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MEDFORD FIRE-RESCUE FIRE & LIFE SAFETY DIVISION www.medfordfirerescue.org 200 S. Ivy St., Room #180 Medford, OR 97501 Telephone (541) 774-2300 FAX (541) 774-2514 Media Release- June 12, 2019 Fireworks Laws and Safety Information Changes to Medford’s Fireworks Ordinance…. We are informing citizens that Medford’s fireworks ordinance changed this year. The time period to use Oregon legal consumer fireworks in legal areas during fire season has been reduced from 14 days to 6 days. Now, Oregon legal consumer fireworks can only be used in legal areas from July 1 – July 6 during fire season. In addition, the penalty of using Oregon illegal fireworks has increased from $250 to $2,500. Police Officers and Fire Officials will be out patrolling, issuing citations and confiscating illegal fireworks and explosives. As a reminder: • Prohibited Medford Areas: It is illegal within the city limits to discharge any fireworks in the hillside areas, the Bear Creek Greenway, any City park, or any public school. • Oregon Illegal Fireworks: Any type of aerial firework is illegal for citizens to discharge in the state of Oregon. This would include mortars, bottle or sky rockets, and Roman candles or similar devices that shoot flaming balls. According the State statutes, any device that explodes, flies into the air, behaves in an uncontrolled and unpredictable manner, or travels more than 12 feet horizontally is illegal to use in the State of Oregon. • Oregon Illegal Explosives: Explosive devices are illegal to use in the State of Oregon, including firecrackers and M-80's. Medford Fire-Rescue wants you to have a safe and legal Independence Day. We urge residents to use wisdom and act lawfully if they choose to celebrate with fireworks this year. Conditions are dry and the use of fireworks in the hillsides or near fields containing dry vegetation could start a wildfire. Misusing fireworks can lead to injury. Citizens may use Oregon legal consumer fireworks in the City of Medford non-prohibited areas, but are cautioned to keep safety in mind. According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, the latest published fire statistics show in 2017, eight people died and an estimated 12,900 people were treated in emergency departments for fireworks-related injuries in the United States. An estimated 8,700 (68% of the total fireworks-related injuries) of these injuries required hospitalization. Honor ~ Integrity ~ Service The following precautions should be practiced to prevent injuries and fires: Always observe local and State laws o The use of fireworks is prohibited in some Cities and areas o For examples of Oregon legal and illegal fireworks and for additional safety information, visit our website at: http://www.ci.medford.or.us/Page.asp?NavID=623 Never allow young children to play with fireworks o Even sparkler’s can cause severe burn injuries. Sparklers accounted for nearly half of the fire injuries to children less than 5 years of age in 2017. Always provide close adult supervision to older children o Children under 15 years of age accounted for 36% of the estimated injuries in 2017. Young people under 20 years of age accounted for 50% of the estimated injuries in 2017. Never have any portion of your body over a firework when lighting o Wear protective eyewear and avoid wearing loose clothing. Fireworks injuries can be associated with blindness, third degree burns, and permanent scarring. Never attempt to reignite a malfunctioning firework o Soak the firework in water and dispose Never point fireworks towards people, pets, cars, or buildings and never throw fireworks o This can easily lead to injury and cause fires Never light fireworks in a container, especially a glass or metal container o This could explode and spread shrapnel Never experiment with homemade fireworks or attempt to alter fireworks o These could be unpredictable Only ignite fireworks in clear areas away from combustible vegetation and structures o Fire can quickly spread through flammable or combustible materials Always keep a bucket of water or hose nearby o Can be used to quickly extinguish a fire before it spreads o Spent fireworks should be soaked in a bucket of water before disposing Remember your pets during the 4th of July events o Never take your pet to a firework display o Never leave your pet in the car o Move your pets indoors to a sheltered area. Turn on a radio to a normal volume o Never leave your pet unattended outdoors, even in a fenced yard o Make sure your pet is wearing an identification tag o If you know your pet is distressed by load noises, consult your veterinarian Honor ~ Integrity ~ Service Honor ~ Integrity ~ Service MEDFORD FIRE-RESCUE FIRE & LIFE SAFETY DIVISION www.medfordfirerescue.org 200 S. Ivy St., Room #180 Medford, OR 97501 Telephone (541) 774-2300 FAX (541) 774-2514 Media Release- June 12, 2019 Fireworks Laws and Safety Information Changes to Medford’s Fireworks Ordinance…. We are informing citizens that Medford’s fireworks ordinance changed this year. The time period to use Oregon legal consumer fireworks in legal areas during fire season has been reduced from 14 days to 6 days. Now, Oregon legal consumer fireworks can only be used in legal areas from July 1 – July 6 during fire season. In addition, the penalty of using Oregon illegal fireworks has increased from $250 to $2,500. Police Officers and Fire Officials will be out patrolling, issuing citations and confiscating illegal fireworks and explosives. As a reminder: • Prohibited Medford Areas: It is illegal within the city limits to discharge any fireworks in the hillside areas, the Bear Creek Greenway, any City park, or any public school. • Oregon Illegal Fireworks: Any type of aerial firework is illegal for citizens to discharge in the state of Oregon. This would include mortars, bottle or sky rockets, and Roman candles or similar devices that shoot flaming balls. According the State statutes, any device that explodes, flies into the air, behaves in an uncontrolled and unpredictable manner, or travels more than 12 feet horizontally is illegal to use in the State of Oregon. • Oregon Illegal Explosives: Explosive devices are illegal to use in the State of Oregon, including firecrackers and M-80's. Medford Fire-Rescue wants you to have a safe and legal Independence Day. We urge residents to use wisdom and act lawfully if they choose to celebrate with fireworks this year. Conditions are dry and the use of fireworks in the hillsides or near fields containing dry vegetation could start a wildfire. Misusing fireworks can lead to injury. Citizens may use Oregon legal consumer fireworks in the City of Medford non-prohibited areas, but are cautioned to keep safety in mind. According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, the latest published fire statistics show in 2017, eight people died and an estimated 12,900 people were treated in emergency departments for fireworks-related injuries in the United States. An estimated 8,700 (68% of the total fireworks-related injuries) of these injuries required hospitalization. Honor ~ Integrity ~ Service The following precautions should be practiced to prevent injuries and fires: Always observe local and State laws o The use of fireworks is prohibited in some Cities and areas o For examples of Oregon legal and illegal fireworks and for additional safety information, visit our website at: http://www.ci.medford.or.us/Page.asp?NavID=623 Never allow young children to play with fireworks o Even sparkler’s can cause severe burn injuries. Sparklers accounted for nearly half of the fire injuries to children less than 5 years of age in 2017. Always provide close adult supervision to older children o Children under 15 years of age accounted for 36% of the estimated injuries in 2017. Young people under 20 years of age accounted for 50% of the estimated injuries in 2017. Never have any portion of your body over a firework when lighting o Wear protective eyewear and avoid wearing loose clothing. Fireworks injuries can be associated with blindness, third degree burns, and permanent scarring. Never attempt to reignite a malfunctioning firework o Soak the firework in water and dispose Never point fireworks towards people, pets, cars, or buildings and never throw fireworks o This can easily lead to injury and cause fires Never light fireworks in a container, especially a glass or metal container o This could explode and spread shrapnel Never experiment with homemade fireworks or attempt to alter fireworks o These could be unpredictable Only ignite fireworks in clear areas away from combustible vegetation and structures o Fire can quickly spread through flammable or combustible materials Always keep a bucket of water or hose nearby o Can be used to quickly extinguish a fire before it spreads o Spent fireworks should be soaked in a bucket of water before disposing Remember your pets during the 4th of July events o Never take your pet to a firework display o Never leave your pet in the car o Move your pets indoors to a sheltered area. Turn on a radio to a normal volume o Never leave your pet unattended outdoors, even in a fenced yard o Make sure your pet is wearing an identification tag o If you know your pet is distressed by load noises, consult your veterinarian Honor ~ Integrity ~ Service Honor ~ Integrity ~ Service MEDFORD FIRE-RESCUE FIRE & LIFE SAFETY DIVISION www.medfordfirerescue.org 200 S. Ivy St., Room #180 Medford, OR 97501 Telephone (541) 774-2300 FAX (541) 774-2514 Media Release- June 12, 2019 Fireworks Laws and Safety Information Changes to Medford’s Fireworks Ordinance…. We are informing citizens that Medford’s fireworks ordinance changed this year.