Playing it safe on Independence Day

13 On Your Side’s Arlette Yousif shares safety tips from YFD

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA/KECY) - Barbecue, good company, and independence, all while our country is going through trying times. Still, the Yuma community is making the best of it while preparing for our nation's birthday.

With all the festivities, the Yuma Fire Department (YFD) reminds us of necessary safety measures, especially when it comes to fireworks. But knowing what’s legal to use and not legal is important.

“If it leaves the ground like skyrockets, things like that, or bottle rockets, if it blows up like firecrackers, if it shoots flaming debris into the sky like uh, roman candles, leave it alone. It’s not legal in the state of Arizona,” says Yuma Fire Department Public Information Officer Mike Erfert.

YFD says to remember to clean up properly after using any fireworks by making sure every spark is out.

Erfert suggests putting the used items in water afterward to prevent them from igniting again.

“We’ve had fires where people have put it straight from the ground, right into trash cans and later we’re responding to a trash can fire, sometimes a house fire,” explains Erfert.

For any last-minute celebrations, YFD says children should not handle any fireworks, even sparklers, as they get as hot as 1,200 degrees or more.