The county burn ban was lifted last week after heavy rain, but local law enforcement will still make their rounds to monitor fireworks during Fourth of July celebrations.
As in years past, residents will be allowed to light fireworks only if they have obtained a fireworks permit.
Fireworks Safety Tips
- Never try to reignite fireworks that have malfunctioned. Soak them with water and throw them away.
- Keep a bucket of water or fire extinguisher handy.
- Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from houses, dry leaves and any other flammable materials.
- Watch what you wear. Loose clothing can catch fire and should not be work while handling fireworks. The fireworks user should always wear eye protection.
- Tim Hayes, deputy fire chief for Gainesville Fire Rescue, said fireworks that "leave the ground" or "move along the ground under their own propulsion" are illegal without a permit, but a loophole in the law allows for their widespread usage.
As long as buyers are willing to sign a waiver stating that they plan to use their purchases for agricultural and not recreational means, they are legally safe.
Hayes said he knows that the majority of purchased fireworks are not used to "scare birds out of trees," and he added that the motivations for buying fireworks can be difficult for police to determine.
Last year, the local fire rescue squad sent two representatives, including Hayes, to Tallahassee to try to change state legislation on fireworks sales.
Hayes said they came back empty-handed without the ability to even put a city ordinance into effect.
"We don't have enforcement to keep people from selling them," he said. "We don't have much enforcement over private property either."
Local law enforcement will monitor the use of fireworks as well as the potential neighborhood disruptions they might create.
Both Lt. Stephen Maynard of the Alachua County Sheriff's Office and Summer Hallett of the Gainesville Police Department agreed that noise complaints and nuisance violations will constitute the majority of action taken by law enforcement.
"Just because you like to stay up late doesn't mean your neighbors do," Hallett said. "And just because you like to use fireworks doesn't mean your neighbors do."
Hallett said the police will have party patrols near downtown, but the department will not increase the number of officers on duty.
"We're not exactly in DEFCON mode," she said. "Typically, the Fourth of July is pretty calm."
Maynard expressed more of a concern and said the sheriff's office will have an increased amount of officers on duty.
He said verbal warnings and fireworks seizures will be common methods of enforcement, but he made it clear that if citizens fail to comply with those initial steps, arrests could be made.
An increase in alcohol usage is another primary concern for the sheriff's office.
"Why anyone would think it's a good idea to detonate an explosive while having impaired faculties is beyond me," Maynard said.
Hayes said the reason people get hurt is because they are inexperienced in handling explosives.
"Leave the fireworks to the professionals," he said.
Eye injuries and loss of fingers are common consequences of the public's celebratory antics, Hayes said.
Despite concerns of potential fires and injuries, Hallett said law enforcement wants the holiday to be fun, but celebrations should be responsible.
She said fireworks users should keep a hose and buckets of water handy.
People also should pick up the trash and make sure everything is extinguished.
"Have a good time, but be mindful of the people around you and your surroundings," she said.
