Be Cautious if Ringing in New Year with Fireworks

Special to the Lehigh Acres Gazette

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam encourages Floridians who will be ringing in the New Year with fireworks to be cautious. While recent rainfall has reduced general wildfire risks in some areas of the state, several areas of the state remain dry, and ignition sources, such as fireworks and campfires, pose wildfire risks year-round.

Individuals should check with local laws before using fireworks. Local fire and police departments and the state Fire Marshal’s Office can also provide guidance. People planning to use fireworks should follow these safety tips:

• Follow all county or city fireworks laws;
• Light fireworks on a cleared area free of any vegetation or debris;
• Remove any debris from roofs or decks where fireworks could land;
• Always have a water source available in case of a fire;
• Aim fireworks away from people, homes and wooded areas;
• Do not allow young children to light or handle fireworks;
• Never use homemade fireworks;
• Discard used fireworks in a bucket of water;
• Store unused fireworks and lighters out of the reach of children;
• Clean up all debris from fireworks; and
• Report any fires immediately to 911.
• Since Jan. 1, 2015, 3,030 wildfires have burned more than 72,098 acres across Florida.

The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests and provides forest management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests. The Florida Forest Service is also responsible for protecting homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire on more than 26 million acres.