Fireworks Advisory

06/25/2012 | Sgt. Clint Norred, Patrol

The Yuma Police Department wants our community to be informed and educated about fireworks. The law allows for the public to possess or use novelty/minor types of fireworks, however many types of fireworks remain illegal in Arizona, specifically those designed to rise into the air and/or explode.

The definition of "fireworks," according to the Arizona Revised Statue 36-1601, means any combustible or explosive composition, substance or combination of substances, or any article prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration or detonation, that is a consumer firework or display firework.

In addition, ARS 36-1601 also provides this definition for permissible consumer fireworks:

The following types of consumer fireworks as defined by the American Pyrotechnics Association Standard 87-1, standard for construction and approval for transportation of fireworks, novelties and theatrical pyrotechnics, December 1, 2001 version:

• Ground and handheld sparkling devices.
• Cylindrical fountains.
• Cone fountains.
• Illuminating torches.
• Wheels.
• Ground spinners.
• Flitter sparklers.
• Toy smoke devices.
• Wire sparklers or dipped sticks.
• Multiple tube fireworks devices and pyrotechnic articles.

This does not include anything that is designed or intended to rise into the air and explode or to detonate in the air or to fly above the ground, including, for example, firework items commonly known as bottle rockets, sky rockets, missile-type rockets, helicopters, torpedoes, roman candles and jumping jacks. It remains unlawful to sell, offer or expose for sale, use, explode or possess any of these fireworks.

The Yuma Police Department encourages the public to do their part by not possessing or using any illegal fireworks and promptly reporting suspected use or possession to the police department.