Watch public fireworks instead of lighting your own, says state fire marshal

SALT LAKE CITY — A lot of Utah’s cities are lighting public fireworks this weekend, and the state fire marshal hopes you’ll go to those rather than lighting your own. 

State Fire Marshal Ted Black said that because of the current high fire risk, public shows are just safer.

Black said fire officials see a lot fewer issues of fireworks getting out of control at public shows than at people’s houses.

“We don’t have anywhere near the problems with the large professional shoots that we have with homeowners,” Black said.

If you have any concerns about whether you should light your own, Black said, then you’ve answered your own question on whether you should light them.

But for those still wanting to set off their own fireworks, the fire marshal offered some safety tips.

“Follow all of the rules, be safe. Have a bucket of water handy to put used fireworks in to make sure they’re out. Have a charged garden hose close by in case something does happen,” Black said.

And another safety tip aside from having water nearby?

“If you choose to use the cakes — the multi-shot fireworks — make sure they are secured from tipping over,” Black said. This will prevent them from shooting horizontally, which Black said was “An absolute sure recipe for disaster.”

Black said he doesn’t want the people’s memory of the Fourth of July or Pioneer Day to be of a massive fire.

“We have these holidays to celebrate our freedoms and the birth of our state, and it shouldn’t be a date that brings back a bad memory for someone of severe loss or of damage to themselves or of other people’s property.”

In areas where it’s legal, fireworks can be shot off starting Saturday, July 2.

Related: Tooele fire prompts reminder about firework safety