Authorities field hundreds of calls over fireworks

Two homes lost in Parker

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

It’s common knowledge that some reworks are illegal, but even legal reworks can pose a danger. Over the last few weeks, ahead of and after the Fourth of July holiday, authorties have elded hundreds of related calls.

Two homes were destroyed by a re caused by legal reworks on July 4 in Parker, according to the local re rescue agency.

At one home in Arapahoe County, reworks caused minor damage to a garage.

South Metro Fire Rescue also responded to two medical aid calls related to reworks.

at’s a look at the consequences reworks caused between June 26 and July 4 this year, according to South Metro Fire.

But the impact of reworks goes beyond damage. Calls to authorities about reworks also expand the workload for law enforcement around the Fourth of July. From June 30 through July 4, Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce received more than 500 calls for service related to reworks.

e sheri ’s o ce didn’t issue any citations, but it has one open case related to the use of reworks on July 2 that involves juveniles, a sheri ’s o ce spokesperson said on July 7.

It’s worth taking a look at what kinds of reworks are legal — and how to stay safe if you choose to use them.

What fireworks are legal?

Fireworks that leave the ground and explode — typically bought out of state — are not legal, according to Deputy Cocha Heyden, spokesperson for the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce.

According to state law, Heyden said, the types of reworks permissible in Colorado include:

• Fountains

• Ground spinners

• Illuminating torches

• Dipped sticks and sparklers

• Toy propellants

• Trick noise makers

• And tube devices.

Fireworks that are always illegal to use in Colorado, except for public and professional displays, according to the sheri ’s o ce, include:

• Firecrackers

• Rockets, including bottle rockets

• And Roman candles, cherry bombs, mortars and similar items, such as M-80s.

Permissible reworks may not contain more than 50 milligrams of explosive composition, according to the sheri ’s o ce.

Some municipalities may put further restrictions on rework use. For example, Castle Rock’s website says: “Only reworks purchased at stands in Castle Rock are legal, and only on July 4 between 8 a.m and 10 p.m.” e legality of reworks can change if a local re ban is in e ect. You can check local government websites to determine when such bans are issued.

Keep first responders in mind

From June 30 through July 4, the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce received 520 “actual” calls for service regarding reworks, 14 calls for service for tra c hazards due to roads being blocked for reworks, and 10 calls for service for noise complaints due to loud parties with reworks, according to the sheri ’s o ce.

About 340 reworks calls came on the Fourth of July itself, according to the o ce.

“Every year our dispatch center is inundated with calls from citizens reporting that they hear reworks going o somewhere in their neighborhood,” the sheri ’s o ce said in a news release. “ is severely impacts our call system and could a ect our response to other calls for service.”

People should only call the sheri ’s o ce about reworks if they see someone use illegal reworks or they see re or there is injury, Heyden said.

Fireworks can cause tragedy e two homes that became uninhabitable due to a re caused by legal reworks on July 4 were located in Parker’s Clarke Farms neighborhood, according to South Metro Fire Rescue.

In the incident, one re ghter was transported to the hospital with a minor burn injury.

Fire ghters prevented the re from spreading to three neighboring homes, according to a tweet from South Metro Fire.

“Fire investigators determined that improper disposal of legal reworks in a plastic bin outside the garage caused this re,” the agency tweeted. “Both homes were destroyed and the families are displaced.”

If you do use reworks, here are some safety tips from the sheri ’s o ce and South Metro Fire:

• Never allow children to play with or ignite reworks.

• Always check with your city and/or county to ensure what types of reworks are permitted and when and where they can be used.

• Never use reworks under or near any combustible materials such as trees, fences and dry grasses. Make sure they’re directed away from homes and anything potentially ammable.

• Make sure to use reworks on a at, stable surface on the ground to avoid them tipping over when lit.

• Always keep a hose and a re extinguisher nearby, and never try to relight or pick up a rework if it doesn’t light the rst time.

• Light reworks one at a time, then move back fast.

• Do not point or throw reworks at anyone.

Here are some tips on how to safely dispose of reworks:

• Soak them in a non-combustible container full of water overnight. Place the container of water and used reworks on a cement or rock surface away from anything that can burn.

• Once the reworks have been submerged overnight and are fully soaked, dump all the contents into “double trash bags” for disposal in the garbage.

South Metro Fire Rescue covers many cities, towns and unincorporated portions of Arapahoe, Je erson, and Douglas counties.