Gallup citizens will again
have the opportunity to legally discharge fireworks within city limits over the
4th of July holiday.
As a reminder a Fireworks
Permit is required to light fireworks within city limits. Permits may be
purchased for a fee of $15.00 dollars from the City Clerk’s Office
located at 110 W. Aztec Ave. A citation of $250.00 may be imposed for person(s)
caught discharging fireworks without the required permit.
More than 15,000 fires occur
annually due to the mishandling of fireworks, and these fires cause more than
$30 million in property damage.
Fireworks are fun and festive,
but it’s important to know how to use them safely.
Fire Safety Tips:
·
Fireworks
should be used on a flat, firm surface such as the ground or a driveway. Stay
away from bushes, grass and trees, or anything else that might catch
fire. Stay away from vehicles.
·
Have
a bucket of water and garden hose available for use in case of fire.
·
There
should be a responsible adult present when fireworks are being used.
·
After
the firework has been used, it should be picked up with a shovel, dropped into
a bucket of water and left to soak for several hours before being discarded in
the trash.
·
“Duds”
or fireworks that did not go off after being lit should be picked up with a
shovel and dropped into a bucket of water. You should not try to relight it.
·
If
a fire does start because of fireworks, don’t panic. Use the garden hose or
bucket of water to put the fire out or prevent it from getting larger. Call
9-1-1 for emergency assistance.
Here are some safety
precautions that homeowners can take to protect their property:
- Clean
your yard of any unnecessary weeds or plant growth. Cut grass and keep
watered. Green plants are less likely to burn.
-
- Clean
any accumulated combustible material, and other dead growth and dispose of
properly.
-
- Keep
a garden hose connected and ready to use in case a fire starts in your
yard, even if you are not using fireworks. If you do not have a garden
hose to use, a bucket of water on stand-by is a good back up.
-
- Keep
pets inside in the evening, especially on the 4th of July.
-
- Check
your property several times during the evening if fireworks are being used
in your area. Many times a fire can be detected while it is small and
prevented from getting larger
