By KAELYN SAYLES

This Fourth of July, the people of Federal Way should extinguish the urge to light even the smallest of sparklers in celebration.

For the past 20 years, the city of Federal Way has had an ordinance against the use of all fireworks within city limits. This year, the difference is in the punishment.

Cmdr. Chris Norman of the Federal Way Police Department said, this is the first year people caught with fireworks will be charged with a civil infraction rather than a criminal misdemeanor.
However, those caught won’t be treated lightly: The first offense is $100, the second offense is $200 and the third offense is $300, said Norman. He said he “will be encouraging officers to issue infractions” and will have a low tolerance for fireworks users.

Brian Wilson, the City Manager and Chief of Police of Federal Way, said efforts are ongoing in educating the public through press releases about the dangers of fireworks. Wilson said he expects the community to obey the ordinance that they should already be familiar with.

Regardless of where you buy fireworks – on an Indian reservation or elsewhere -- they are illegal, said Wilson. “In Federal Way’s case, (this means) anything that has black powder.” This includes sparklers and “safe and sound” fireworks.

“The temperature (a sparkler) burns at is 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit,” said Norman, adding that it is not something to be giving to children to handle.

Kendra Kay, Public Information Officer for South King Fire and Rescue, said she wanted to give a reminder “telling folks how dangerous fireworks can be” and that parents should supervise their children and set an example.

Kay said that in the past in her district, fireworks went off in a vehicle and injured the driver, and a couple of years ago stray fireworks started a house fire when the owners were out of town.

In 2008 on the Fourth of July, nationally there were approximately 7,000 emergency room visits and 22,500 fires that were started by fireworks, resulting in one fatality, said Norman.

From July 3 to July 6, 2009, Kay said there were 15 fireworks-related fires in Federal Way.

In past years, the police department has had “experience with people coming to parks to set off fireworks,” said Wilson. “The real issue is bringing in illegal fireworks.”

Kay said there would be a fireworks display at Celebration Park that can be enjoyed with professional fireworks and professional people to handle those fireworks. People should “go to the local show instead of putting on an illegal show,” said Kay.

Wilson said that the community should remember that fireworks are illegal in the city of Federal Way and that people should enjoy the holiday and be excited about the Red, White and Blues Festival at Celebration Park. It starts at 6 p.m. on the Fourth; the show starts at 10:15 p.m.

People should go to the legal fireworks show and save money on both fireworks and potential tickets from infractions, said Norman.

“One structure fire is enough for multiple fatalities,” said Norman. “Damage can happen in a split second.”