Latest news with #fireworksafety
Washington Post
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Hawaii's governor signs bills cracking down on illegal fireworks after deadly New Year's explosion
HONOLULU — Hawaii's governor on Monday signed five bills cracking down on the rampant use of illegal fireworks in the islands after a massive explosion at a New Year's party killed six people and severely burned more than a dozen others. The new laws take effect immediately. Police will be authorized to issue $300 tickets to those who shoot off fireworks, while repeat offenders and those whose actions cause serious injury or death could get prison time for felony crimes.
Associated Press
a day ago
- Health
- Associated Press
Celebrate Independence Day Safely with Tips from Emergency Physicians
WASHINGTON, June 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) urges prioritizing safety while enjoying Fourth of July fireworks, barbecues, and outdoor activities. 'Every year around the Fourth of July emergency departments see an increase in preventable accidents and injuries,' said Alison Haddock, MD, FACEP, president of ACEP. 'Celebrate responsibly to keep your holiday free of firework-related burns and injuries, heat stroke and other medical emergencies.' Last year, more than 14,700 people went to the emergency department with injuries from fireworks, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Emergency physicians urge you to mind these firework safety tips: The CDC estimates that each year, 48 million people get sick from foodborne illnesses. Take these precautions to avoid letting a trip to the emergency department spoil your cookout: If you are planning to celebrate outside, including visiting the pool, lake, or beach, keep these tips top of mind: 'A little planning and some simple precautions will help you and your family stay safe and healthy on Independence Day,' said Dr. Haddock. 'But if an emergency occurs, there are emergency physicians ready to help you 24/7 every day of the year, even on holidays.' The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) is the national medical society representing emergency medicine. Through continuing education, research, public education, and advocacy, ACEP advances emergency care on behalf of its 40,000 emergency physician members, and the more than 150 million people they treat on an annual basis. For more information, visit and View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE American College of Emergency Physicians
CBS News
05-06-2025
- CBS News
Yolo County increases fine for illegal fireworks use to $1,000 per violation
WOODLAND — One month out from the July 4 holiday, Yolo County is cracking down on illegal fireworks use. At Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting, the Board unanimously approved amendments to the county's illegal fireworks ordinance for the first time in nearly 25 years. What used to be a first-time violation of only $100 for illegal firework use in unincorporated parts of the county is now ramped up to $1,000 per firework violation, ten times higher. The move follows in the steps of the City of Woodland, which the county consulted as it worked to adopt its new ordinance. Woodland implemented the new $1,000 fine last year. The city's fire and police departments both call it a success, saying the steep fines send a strong message and keep people safe on one of their busiest nights of the year: July 4. "We don't want to have to, between us and the fire department, respond to people significantly injured or, in the case we had several years ago, an entire house burn down," said Sgt. Ryan Bowler with the Woodland Police Department. Woodland PD also ramped up their enforcement with the ramped-up fine. The Nail 'Em app allows neighbors to anonymously report nearby illegal firework usage, which prevents those calls from tying up police dispatch lines. Woodland PD also started warning homeowners with door hangers to let them know a potential violation had been observed before issuing a citation. Anything that is not considered a "safe and sane" firework is illegal in the city of Woodland. The department reports they've already seen illegal fireworks popping off this week. "Last year, we did utilize our drone team on the 4th of July, which was beneficial to see where the fireworks were coming from," said Bowler. "We are expanding our drone team in general as a department, so having the opportunity to go out and help with the enforcement of this is critical to the mission of preserving property and preserving lives if somebody is significantly injured." On July 4, 2024, Woodland PD says it issued 33 illegal firework citations, totaling over $110,000 in fines. That does not include a criminal citation and arrest of one man who was fined a whopping $120,000 after being found with 120 illegal firework mortars last year. The new fines are helping the city reduce fire risk. "I think it does make a difference. It's decreased calls into our dispatch center, we've been able to catch people in the act and in the process of," said Bowler. Yolo County's crackdown comes as fire season is in full force. The perfect example came Tuesday when Woodland Fire crew raced to fight a fast-moving fire near E Kentucky Ave. and County Road 102. It's a picture of what they are trying to prevent now, one month out from July 4, when fireworks can spark unintentional fires that can rapidly spread out of control. Yolo County's new ordinance goes a step further than bumping up the fine. It also bans "safe and sane" fireworks in the county's fire risk zones labeled "high" and "very high" risk as designated by Cal Fire. Maps show much of the county west of Esparto falls into that category. "I think it'll be good for the rural fire departments also," said Matt Flint, Woodland's Fire Marshal. Flint says one year in, the city's stricter fines have been a success story. "We saw a dramatic decrease in fires and also grass fires, calls for service," said Flint. "It's an exciting time that Woodland is being a pioneer in firework safety." Yolo County's new crackdown ordinance is expected to be in effect by the July 4 holiday. Woodland PD says residents can report illegal fireworks to their designated email line at fireworks@ and on the Nail 'Em app.
