The county has banned fireworks classified as “skyrockets with sticks” or “missiles with fins' because of drought conditions.
Bexar County has banned the sale and use of certain fireworks ahead of the new year in response to the extreme drought conditions affecting the majority of the county. Officials outlawed the sale of fireworks classified as “skyrockets with sticks” or “missiles with fins,' Bexar County spokesperson Isaac Neri said in a news release.
Retailers or celebrants violating the order could be charged with a class C misdemeanor, which carries a fine of up to $500. The order is effective immediately, and remains in effect for 90 days. ALSO READ: Open on Christmas Day: 10 San Antonio restaurants serving holiday meals Officials urge those lighting fireworks that are not banned to follow safety precautions. Last year, emergency rooms treated 9,700 fireworks injuries, and eight people died across the U.S., according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. Here are some tips on how to safely light up the sky. How to use fireworks safely Officials urge parents to keep children away from fireworks and to take extra care when youngsters use sparklers, which can burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the commission. When lighting fireworks, choose an area free of dry grass, dead vegetation or other flammable materials. Users should keep a bucket of water nearby to quickly douse any potential fires. If a firework is lit and does not explode, leave it alone for 15 to 20 minutes before soaking it in water and disposing. If wind speeds exceed 10 mph, the county urges residents to stop lighting fireworks. ALSO READ: What temperatures can cause your pipes to burst? Here's how to prevent that this winter Once the fireworks show is over, users should soak all fireworks in a bucket for at least 15 minutes, the county advises. Once the water is drained, soaked fireworks should be wrapped in a plastic bag and placed in the trash. Fireworks cannot be recycled or composted. Celebrants may also consider firework alternatives, including using glow sticks, silly string or party horns to ring in the new year. What to know about fireworks rules The use of fireworks within the San Antonio city limits is illegal, and any urban fireworks explosions may lead to a fine of up to $2,000. In the county, users cannot set off fireworks within 600 feet of a hospital, sanitarium, veterinary hospital, school or church, or within 100 feet of a fuel dispensing station for flammable or combustible liquids. Users also should not discharge fireworks at or from a motor vehicle. Violations can result in a fine ranging from $100 to $2,000. Call the city's Fireworks Hotline at 210-207-7273 to report violations. In the county, questionable firework usage can be reported to the Bexar County Fire Marshal at 210-335-0300.
Isaac Neri Fire Marshal Bexar County San Antonio U.S. Open On Christmas Day Fireworks Hotline
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