TEXARKANA, TEX- As Independence Day approaches, the City of Texarkana, Texas reminds residents that fireworks are not permitted inside city limits. Under section 15-13.1, the sale, possession, or display of fireworks could result in a fine of up to $500.00
According to Fire Chief Eric Schlotter, the long-standing city ordinance is meant to provide safety from injuries and unintentional fires.
“Every year, we see injuries and accidents related to fireworks in Texarkana,” Schlotter said. “We want everyone to have a great time celebrating the Fourth of July, but most of all, we want to keep everyone safe.”
According to the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s 2012 annual report on fireworks, fireworks were involved in an estimated 8,700 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments during calendar year 2012. The parts of the body most often injured were hands and fingers (an estimated 41 percent); head, face, and ears (an estimated 19 percent); legs (an estimated 13 percent); and eyes (an estimated 12 percent). More than half of the emergency department treated injuries were burns. Burns were the most common injury to all parts of the body, except the eyes, where contusions, lacerations, and foreign bodies in the eyes occurred more frequently.
Texarkana Texas Police Sergeant Aaron Brower describes TTPD’s preparation for the holiday weekend.
“We are primarily concerned with safety,” Brower said. “We have had firework-related fatalities here in the past, and we want to make the utmost effort to make sure residents’ celebrations are not dangerous. We will be enforcing our firework codes and patrolling the city specifically for this.”
Brower reminds citizens of Texarkana, Texas rules about fireworks.
“Fireworks are not permitted in the city—end of story,” Brower said.