Florida Officials Issue July 4th Warning about Fireworks Safety

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, whose job includes the role of state fire marshal, is cautioning Floridians to follow fire-safety guidelines ahead of the 4th of July holiday.

Under Florida law, people 18 and older can buy fireworks that are usually prohibited and use them on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and Independence Day. These include explosive fireworks like firecrackers, torpedoes and roman candles.

Patronis says people should avoid unapproved fireworks, keep kids and pets away from fireworks, and leave big shows to the professionals. “The family’s together, having a good time. Make sure you are taking the necessary safety precautions to ensure that your holiday does not have a disastrous outcome"

Specific rules about where fireworks can be used vary from county to county, and some areas of the state have active burn bans.