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Date: Thursday December 28, 2024
 (Port Orchard, WA) - Ringing in the New Year doesn?t mean compromising the safety of yourself or other Kitsap County residents. The Kitsap County Fire Marshal is reminding residents that the use of fireworks in unincorporated Kitsap County is always prohibited, except for July 4.
A prohibition against using fireworks on any day other than July 4 has been in place since the late 1990?s. Revelers who use fireworks this New Year's, and any other day of the year other than July 4, may be issued fines up to $500.
?If you are using fireworks when they are banned, insurance companies might not pay for any damage caused to your personal property or that of your neighbors,? warns David Lynam, Kitsap County?s Fire Marshal.
In addition to property damage concerns, the Consumer Products Safety Commission reports that firework related injuries increased by more than 17% in the last decade, resulting in 120,000 trips to the emergency room.
Of those fireworks injuries:
- 65% of injuries were to bystanders
- 15% of injuries were to the eyes at times causing vision loss or blindness
- 38% of injuries were burns
?I encourage everyone in Kitsap County to enjoy your New Year's celebrations safely, when it comes to fireworks, save it for July 4? adds Lynam. ?
You are urged to call 9-1-1 to report an injury or illegal use of fireworks.
For more information, please visit the Fire Marshals webpage.
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