Medford Bureau Of Fire Prevention News - Fireworks Safety

Fireworks can be entertaining but can also be dangerous. In 2006, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), eleven people died and an estimated 9,200 were treated in emergency departments for fireworks-related injuries in the United States. In 2007, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), nine out of ten (92%) emergency room fireworks injuries involved fireworks that Federal regulations permit consumers to use. The Medford Fire Department urge’s you to use extreme caution when considering the use of fireworks.  

The following are safety tips to consider:

Never allow young children to play with fireworks.
- Sparklers account for 1/3 of injuries to children less than 5 years of age

Always provide close adult supervision to older children.
- One out of every three people injured are children under the age of 15

Only ignite fireworks in clear areas away from combustible vegetation and structures
- Fire can quickly spread through flammable or combustible materials

Never have any portion of your body over a firework when lighting
- Wear protective eyewear and avoid wearing loose clothing

Always keep a bucket of water or hose nearby
- Can be used to quickly extinguish a fire before it spreads
- Spent fireworks should be soaked in a bucket of water before disposing

Never attempt to reignite a malfunctioning firework.
- Soak the firework and dispose

Never light fireworks in a container, especially a glass or metal container
- This could explode and spread shrapnel

Never experiment with homemade fireworks
- These could be unpredictable

Always observe local laws
- Only Oregon legal consumer fireworks are allowed to be used within the Medford city limits. All fireworks are prohibited within the following areas:
-- the Hazardous Wildfire Areas
-- the Bear Creek Greenway
-- any City park
-- any Public School

What is an Oregon legal consumer firework?
- A class 1.4G firework that does not explode, does not fly into the air, and does not travel from it’s ignition point more than 12 inches vertically or 6 feet horizontally. These include such fireworks as base fountains, ground blooms, cone fountains, etc.

What is illegal in Oregon?
- Illegal fireworks include such items as mortars, bottle rockets, aerial spinners, sky rockets, missile rockets, roman candles, firecrackers, etc. Cherry bombs, silver salutes (M-100’s), ash cans (M-80’s), etc. are Oregon illegal explosive devices. Anyone violating Oregon fireworks statutes could face confiscation of the devices and a civil penalty of up to $500 per violation.

Consider attending a professional public display event instead
- The Red, White, and Boom event at the Medford Sports Park is free of charge and has an impressive display

Remember your pets during the 4th of July events
- Never take your pet to a firework display
- Never leave your pet in the car
- Move your pets indoors to a sheltered area. Turn on a radio to a normal volume
- Never leave your pet unattended outdoors, even in a fenced yard
- Make sure your pet is wearing an identification tag
- If you know your pet is distressed by load noises, consult your veterinarian

For examples of Oregon legal and illegal fireworks, to determine where the Hazardous Wildfire Areas are, and for additional safety information, visit our website at:
http://www.ci.medford.or.us/Page.asp?NavID=623

It is the desire of the Medford Fire Department to educate the public about fireworks safety and fireworks laws, with the goal of preventing firework related injuries and destructive fires.

For more information please contact:
Greg Kleinberg, Fire Marshal
Medford Fire/Rescue
541-774-2300