Put Safety First This Fourth

CCSO urges residents and visitors to put safety first when celebrating the Fourth of July holiday.

Deputies will be on the lookout for illegal displays.

It is illegal in Collier County to use any fireworks that explode or fly, unless they are being used in a professional demonstration with proper permits or for agricultural purposes.

Sales at fireworks stands are limited to only legal fireworks which are on the Florida Division of State Fire Marshal's approved sparkler list. The list can be found on the Web

http://www.myfloridacfo.com/sfm/indexsfm.htm

Residents and visitors who want to create their own fireworks displays should consider the safety issues. You can injure yourself lighting the wick. Lit fireworks can travel and injure someone else or set a tree or house on fire.

Firing a gun into the air in celebration of holidays like Independence Day is also against the law. Florida law states that it is illegal to have a gun in any public place, over an occupied building or house, or in the right of way of any paved road, highway or street.

Deputies will also be patrolling neighborhoods and answering noise calls related to fireworks. The initial complaint may result in a warning to the offender, but continuing to disturb the peace could result in arrest.

Be considerate of your neighbors and keep any celebrations involving noise to a reasonable level, especially after dark.

Better yet, the best way to stay safe is to avoid using fireworks and attend a display handled by professionals.

Click here for fireworks safety tips.