The Attorneys and Staff with Althauser Rayan Abbarno urge you to use fireworks legally, responsibly, and safely. Unfortunately, most people are already hearing the “boom” and it may be in violation of the local laws. According to the 2017 State Fire Marshal’s Report, there were more than 345 fireworks-related incidents in 2017, including 83 fires and 262 injuries. This represents an 11 percent increase over the 10-year average. Needless to say, fireworks can cause serious physical harm.
In addition, fireworks accounted for 83 fires resulting in more than $59,000 worth of property damage; and that was only what was reported. Fireworks-related injuries are most common on July 4 and New Year’s Eve. Fireworks can cause death and injury, including burns, contusions, lacerations, and foreign objects in the eye.
Make the choice to protect yourself and your family from fireworks injuries.
• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities.
• Avoid buying fireworks packaged in brown paper, which often means they were made for professional displays and could be dangerous for consumers.
• Make sure you, your kids, and others watch fireworks displays from a safe distance.
• Call 911 immediately if someone is injured from fireworks.
It is also important to know and understand the laws governing firework purchases and discharge. Most municipalities follow the dates established by RCW 70.77.395, which states “Consumer fireworks may be used or discharged each day between the hours of twelve o’clock noon and eleven o’clock p.m. on the twenty-eighth of June and between the hours of nine o’clock a.m. and eleven o’clock p.m. on the twenty-ninth of June to the third of July, and on July 4th between the hours of nine o’clock a.m. and twelve o’clock midnight, and between the hours of nine o’clock a.m. and eleven o’clock p.m. on July 5th, and from six o’clock p.m. on December 31st until one o’clock a.m. on January 1st of the subsequent year.”
It is important to check with your local municipal code for any deviations from the standard statute. For instance, in Centralia, there is an Emergency Ban on the Discharge of Fireworks CMC 5.98.085 in certain emergency circumstances like a drought. In Olympia, OMC 9.48.160 governs the discharge of fireworks.
The Attorneys and Staff with Althauser Rayan Abbarno urge you to use fireworks legally and responsibly. For questions about injuries caused by another person or potential violations of the fireworks discharge law, contact our attorneys at (360) 736-1301 or visit CentraliaLaw.com
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