Fire Marshal urges caution, courtesy on July 4

The Snohomish County Fire Marshal’s Office urges residents to use caution when discharging fireworks during the Fourth of July fireworks season and encourages residents to extend common courtesy to their neighbors by limiting the hours during which they celebrate.

On Independence Day in a typical year, far more U.S. fires are reported than on any other day and more than twice as many as on an average day. Fireworks account for two out of five of those fires, more than any other cause of fires.

In unincorporated Snohomish County, fireworks can only be discharged between 9 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. on July 4 only. Municipalities throughout Snohomish County set their own regulations, and in some municipalities the use of fireworks is banned entirely.

Follow these simple tips to help keep you and others safe:

in case of an emergency, dial 9-1-1.have a bucket of water for emergencies and to douse used fireworks.never build or experiment with homemade fireworks.never let children handle or light fireworks; even sparklers can be dangerous.never ignite fireworks while holding them; light one at a time and move away quickly.make sure you give yourself enough room in a safe location – away from buildings, vehicles and flammable materials.never light fireworks inside a structure.watch what you wear; loose clothing can catch fire while handling fireworks.never try to re-ignite fireworks that have malfunctioned; soak them in water, then throw them away.never ignite fireworks while you are under the influence of alcohol and/or mind-altering drugs.never aim fireworks at vehicles, homes, or people.

For more information on the safe use of fireworks, contact the Snohomish County Fire Marshal’s Office at 425-388-3557.