A fire in Montgomery County has fire officials urging residents ahead of the Fourth of July weekend to know where they can legally shoot off fireworks and how to dispose of them.

A Porter resident was injured Tuesday after leaving spent fireworks in the bed of a truck after celebrating Mexico’s win over Ecuador in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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Fire crews responded to a home in the 23000 block of Honeysuckle Drive, where a home and three vehicles were burning. Firefighters were able to contain the blaze but not before the home and vehicles were heavily damaged, according to information from the Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office.

Each year, an estimated 10,000 to 14,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries. About two-thirds of these incidents occur in the four weeks surrounding the Fourth of July, with hands, fingers, eyes, and the head and face being the most frequently injured body parts, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Here’s more on what to know about using fireworks.

Where can I legally discharge fireworks?

In most counties, like Montgomery, Harris and Fort Bend, fireworks are legal in unincorporated areas. Fireworks are prohibited in cities like Houston, Sugarland, Conroe, Katy and The Woodlands Township.

However, some residential parts of unincorporated areas have restrictions, so checking with homeowners’ associations is best before using fireworks.

In unincorporated areas, fireworks cannot be discharged within 600 feet of a church, hospital, day care center of school.

Fines for using fireworks in areas where they are prohibited range from $500 to $2,000.

How do I dispose of spent fireworks?

Make sure your fireworks are waterlogged. Soak your spent fireworks and any duds in a bucket of water for at least 15 minutes and thoroughly wet any large fireworks display boxes, according the Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office.

Leaving fireworks in water overnight is best before putting the soaked debris in a sealable bag to maintain the moisture. The key is to not let the debris dry out and re-ignite.

Place any bags of debris as far away as possible from home or anything that could catch fire and threaten structures or other property.

How dangerous are fireworks?

In 2025, there were 15 reported fireworks-related deaths, most involving misuse and device misfires or malfunctions. An estimated 13,000 people were injured by fireworks last year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. There were an estimated 1,300 emergency room-treated injuries in 2025 involving sparklers.

The 15 to 24 age group accounted for the largest share of reported injuries. The most frequently injured body parts were hands and fingers (35%) and head, face, and ears (22%). Burns were the most common injury, making up 38% of all emergency room visits.

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This article originally published at Houston-area fireworks guide: Where they’re legal and how to dispose of them safely.