Legal And Safety Reasons El Paso Should Be Careful With Fireworks

El Paso banned fireworks this year within the city limits but they're still available in the area and folks need to be really careful to avoid both legal and health risks.

You can't launch fireworks in El Paso but you can still buy them nearby and lots of people will but amateurs need to be very careful. Not only in terms of not getting in legal trouble for shooting them off but to avoid hurting yourself. Fireworks injuries can be pretty gnarly.

From simple little scrapes and minor burns from holding lighters too long or catching a few sparks to serious, even fatal injuries, fireworks can be dangerous. Even the pros can goof up.

'Ya gotta be careful, just sayin'..

The Legal Reason To Be Careful

Fireworks can be purchased and fired in the county and El Paso neighbors like Sunland Park, Santa Teresa and Chaparral allow their sale and use. Don't bring them to El Paso though. If you get caught, you lose your fireworks and can be fined up to $2,000.00. Even worse, you could get hurt.

Serious Fireworks Injuries

More serious fireworks mishaps can cost you fingers, toes, your hearing or even cause blunt force trauma. One guy gut hit by a projectile that didn't actually detonate but the force it him with, stopped his heart.

It's not just the explosiveness or high speed that can get you. Phosphorous is common in fireworks and it can be toxic.

July 4th Stretches Things Out

Those are the days Texas allows the sale of fireworks but there's at least one stand near El Paso, (Diablo Fireworks, I-10 @ 404), that sells them year 'round. July 4th is hands down the biggest day though. Several days actually because there are always a few warm - up blasts and then the "after parties" when folks launch their leftovers.

Whatever you do, wherever you go, be careful. Watch out for your pets too.