Fire officials in Scottsdale have strict regulations permitting the use of certain types of fireworks

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (NBC, KYMA) - New Years Eve is one of the busiest days of the year for firefighters in Arizona, with people launching all kinds of fireworks.

In Scottsdale, fire officials have strict fireworks regulations that only permit the use of certain types of consumer fireworks.

Fountains, sparklers and poppers are all okay and legal in Arizona because they don't leave the ground. These are fireworks people can buy at any of the white tents that pop up all over the valley.

Dave Gomez has been running one of these stands for about ten years now, and he shared the number one question he gets from customers.

"They want stuff that is illegal...stuff that is aerial," Gomez explained.

The ones that explode or launched into the air are not allowed.

"If anything takes off from the ground and goes into the air those are illegal fireworks so you cannot use those," said Capt. Dave Folio with the Scottsdale Fire Department.

Capt. Folio showed just how dangerous they can be by putting an M80 firework inside a watermelon, blowing it apart.

"Please don't try this at home this is a demonstration to show you how explosive an M80 can be and how damaging it can be to your skin," Folio expressed.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says in 2024, close to 15,000 people went to the emergency room because of fireworks, with 11 people losing their lives.