The Odessa Record -

State Fire Marshal Charles P. LeBlanc reminds residents that “if you blow it up, clean it up.”

Used fireworks can leave behind a great deal of debris. Proper cleanup of firework debris can help reduce the risk of an injury or fire from happening. If you have unused consumer fireworks, it is best to discharge the remaining fireworks during the legal discharge dates for your community.

The following are suggested tips for proper disposal:

Used fireworks:

· Clean up all debris.

· Submerge used fireworks in a bucket of water and soak for fifteen minutes to ensure they are cooled down and there are no smoldering embers that can start a fire.

· Double wrap the soaked fireworks in plastic bags for disposal in your household trash.

· Return to your fireworks discharge area the next morning to clean up any remaining fireworks debris – things can be easily overlooked in the dark.

Unused fireworks:

· Outside of the legal discharge dates, contact your local law enforcement agency on a non-emergency number to see if they collect unused fireworks for disposal.

· Check with a public fireworks display company to see if they can use the fireworks in a display show. To find a list of public fireworks display companies go to http://www.wsp.wa.gov/fire/fireworks.htm.

· If you find a homemade device or illegal explosive device, call 911 for instructions. Do not handle or move the device.

For more information about fireworks safety, public fireworks displays and the fireworks laws for your area, check our website at http://www.wsp.wa.gov/fire/fireworks.htm.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is a bureau of the Washington State Patrol, providing fire and life safety services to the citizens of Washington state, including inspections of state licensed facilities, plan review of school construction projects, licensing of fire sprinkler contractors and pyrotechnic operators, training Washington state’s firefighters and collecting emergency response data.