With fireworks stands now open in St. John Parish, the State Fire Marshal’s Office encourages all residents to be safe and knowledgeable when buying and using fireworks.

It is state law for wholesale and retail fireworks business operators to be licensed by the SFM in parishes and municipalities where they are legally allowed. More than 300 retail fireworks permits have been issued this holiday season.  The sales season extends through Jan. 1.

The SFM encourages families to choose public fireworks displays over creating their own. However, if purchasing fireworks, be mindful of whether the stand is permitted. It is permissible to request to see permitting information from any retail fireworks business. The SFM encourages reporting any suspicious or illegal sales of fireworks to 1-800-256-5452 or by visiting lasfm.org.

Enjoy fireworks in the safest way possible. A study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission shows that more than 9,000 firework-related injuries were reported in 2018.

To avoid becoming part of this statistic, the SFM advises:

•  Detonating devices at least 200 feet away from structures, vehicles and rubbish
• Never allowing children to light fireworks
• Never operating fireworks while impaired
• Lighting devices one at a time and monitoring embers released with a bucket of water or hose nearby
• Discarding detonated items by wetting them down to prevent re-ignition and not disposing of them in a trash container immediately