Firefighters urge people to properly dispose of fireworks

JEFFERSON CITY, MO. (KMIZ)

Firefighters are reminding the public to properly dispose of fireworks to avoid fires over the holiday weekend.

Fire officials say throwing used fireworks in the trash does not guarantee they are properly disposed of.

"After you finish shooting off your fireworks and have remnants lying around your yard or house, pick up all those remnants and dunk them in a bucket of water. Let them soak for at least an hour to ensure all embers are out and extinguished," Jefferson City Assistant Fire Chief Jay Niemeyer said.

Niemeyer also stresses the importance of handling fireworks that did not explode or display properly.

"If you have a firework that you tried to light and it didn't explode or display as it should have, that needs to be doused in water, as well," Niemeyer said. "Let it sit for at least an hour, too."

Sam Christensen, Content Marketer at Spirit of '76 Fireworks, advises being careful where you choose to throw them away.

"For disposing them, you're going to place them in a metal trash receptacle. If you don't have access to that, you can wrap them up in a plastic bag or a few plastic bags and dispose of them in your regular garbage can outside the house," Christensen said.

Christensen and Niemeyer believe it is best to purchase new fireworks rather than save unused fireworks for next year.

"I always recommend buying new fireworks. However, some manufacturers say, and read the manufacturer's instructions, say you can store fireworks," said Niemeyer.

"It is possible to store fireworks long-term, but you should never store them in a house or near a house," Christensen said. She said that sparklers and small novelty items pose less risk, but recommends storing all firework merchandise away from your home and away from where people reside.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, fireworks started an estimated 31,302 fires in 2022. Of those fires, around 3,500 involved structures, 887 involved vehicles, and more than 26,000 were outside fires.