A number of Tampa Bay area counties are currently under burn bans, making it illegal to set off personal fireworks while ringing in the new year.
Florida law limits the use of consumer fireworks to New Year’s Day, New Year’s Eve and Independence Day.
Some local counties, however, enact their own additional bans. The bans are a response to local drought conditions, and are intended to prevent brush fires and wildfires.
The bans prohibit the setting off of personal fireworks but do not forbid professional firework shows.
According to the Florida Forest Service, Polk, Manatee, Citrus, Sarasota and DeSoto counties are under local burn bans.
Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando counties allow personal consumer fireworks for New Year’s celebrations.
Local officials have advocated for the safe use and disposal of personal fireworks.
“Fireworks can quickly turn a celebration into an emergency if they’re not handled or disposed of correctly,” Tampa Fire Chief Barbara Tripp said in a news release.
The Florida Sheriff’s Association recently published a number of safety tips, including on how to properly dispose of fireworks.
Handlers should submerge fireworks completely in water after use for 15 to 20 minutes to ensure they are fully extinguished.
Soaked fireworks should be placed in a metal trash can away from homes, cars or other combustible materials.
Duds or unexploded fireworks should also be soaked thoroughly, according to the sheriff’s association guidance. Never try to re-light a dud.
Other tips include cleaning up debris, keeping children and pets away from leftover fireworks and reporting hazardous or illegal fireworks to local authorities.