HFD Issues Fireworks Guidelines

As the holidays get underway and fireworks permits and sales begin, the Hawai’i County Fire Department has issued guidelines regarding fire prevention and safety and illegal fireworks activity.

Safety tips for fire prevention and avoidance of injury include:

1. -Use extreme care when setting off fireworks. Children playing with fireworks should be under an adult’s close supervision at all times. Even the smallest of fireworks can cause severe injuries that will quickly ruin the holidays.
2. -Fireworks should be set off in an area well away from dry grass or flammable materials.
3. -Make sure fireworks are completely extinguished before being disposed of.
4. -Have a fire extinguisher and/or water hose ready to use in the event of an unplanned or unexpected fire. Make sure the hose can reach all the areas where fireworks activities are being conducted, especially around the entire house. You may also want to wet down dry, grassy areas before and after setting off fireworks.

Fire Chief Darren Rosario says the following activities should be avoided, as it is illegal to:

1. 1. Remove the powder or pyrotechnic contents of any fireworks.
2. 2. Throw fireworks from, at, or into vehicles.
3. 3. Set off any fireworks: at any time not within the specific time periods; within 1,000 feet of a hospital, convalescent home, care home for the elderly, zoo, animal hospital or shelter, or church when services are held; on any school property without authorization from the said school official; or on any public way, such as a highway, alley, street, sidewalk, or park.
4. 4. Offer for sale, sell, or give away fireworks to minors; or for any minor to possess, purchase, sell, or set off, ignite, or otherwise cause to explode any fireworks, except under immediate adult supervision.
5. 5. Set off any aerial luminary device, commonly called Sky Lanterns or Hawai’i Lanterns; or any other aerial devices, such as bottle rockets, sky rockets, roman candles, cakes, mortars, or shells.
7. To learn more about obtaining fireworks permits or the use of fireworks, call the Fire Prevention Bureau at 932-2911 in Hilo or 323-4760 in Kona.