With Fourth of July around the corner, the Seattle Fire Department would like to remind the public that there are no legal fireworks in the City of Seattle. Fireworks present a safety risk to those who use them and a fire hazard to property. Every year, the Seattle Fire Department responds to fireworks-related fires and injuries, and each and every one of these incidents could be avoided.

Seattle Statistics:

• Between January 2000 and July 2008, the Seattle Fire Department responded to 137 fireworks related fires.

• The estimated cost of damages for fireworks related fires between January 2000 and July 2008 amounted to nearly one million dollars.

• In 2005, at least 15 Seattle residents were treated at hospitals due to fireworks-related injuries.

• The City Council’s 1993 decision to ban fireworks has dramatically reduced the number of fires and injuries caused by fireworks.

Any fireworks related fires or injuries should be reported directly to 911, however, on July 4, 911 centers become overloaded with non-emergency fireworks calls. Do not call 911 unless you have a life-threatening emergency and need help from police, fire or medics. Unnecessary 911 calls block people with real emergencies from reaching 911 to get help. Fireworks violations can be reported to the Seattle Police non-emergency number at (206) 625-5011.