West Seattle 4th of July 2015: Fireworks plea; pet protection

Two more 4th of July notes:

FIREWORKS PLEA: The photo is from Shelly, who found fireworks debris while running through Lincoln Park the morning after the 4th last year. She warns, “The park is extremely dry now and it wouldn’t take much to set the whole park on fire.” She is hopeful people will heed that and obey the fireworks laws this year – the park is far from the only place that’s full of dry grass, brush, shrubs, and trees. And just as we were writing this – the National Weather Service has just extended the “heat advisory” AGAIN, continuing through Sunday night.

Speaking of fireworks laws, we already published the official reminder from Seattle Police a week and a half ago, but are sharing it here one more time, as conveyed by Community Police Team Officer Jon Flores:

The Seattle Police Department and Seattle Fire Department would like to remind the public that fireworks are illegal in the City of Seattle. The possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling and use of fireworks are prohibited. Fireworks offenses are gross misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a $5,000 fine.

Fireworks pose a fire hazard to property and present a safety risk to those who use them. Every year the Seattle Fire Department responds to fireworks-related fires and injuries. The holiday-related fires and injuries are preventable.

On the 4th of July, 911 centers become overloaded with non-emergency fireworks calls. DO NOT call 911 unless you have a life-threatening emergency and need immediate help from police, fire or medics. Unnecessary 911 calls block people with real emergencies from reaching 911 and getting help.

Any fireworks-related fires or injuries should be reported directly to 911. Other fireworks violations may be reported by calling the Seattle Police non-emergency number at 206-625-5011.

Listening to the scanner the past few nights, fireworks calls *are* broadcast, so those lighting fireworks shouldn’t assume they’ll never get caught.

PROTECTING PETS: Another side effect of fireworks – they tend to scare pets, which means that invariably, we get many more lost-and-found pet reports to publish on the WSB West Seattle Lost/Found Pets page. We hope you won’t need to use it, but if you do lose or find a pet, please e-mail a description, phone number, and photo if available (if not, just be sure the description is detailed) to editor@westseattleblog.com. The Seattle Animal Shelter, meantime, has published information on how best to protect your pets at this time of year.

8 Replies to "West Seattle 4th of July 2015: Fireworks plea; pet protection"

  • Neighbor July 3, 2015 (8:35 pm)

    We haven’t heard more than just a few fireworks so far this year, which is quite unusual.

  • Chuck and Sally's van man July 3, 2015 (10:56 pm)

    @ neighbor: luck-eee! Down here in Morgan Junction west of CA the M-80 Morons are in full force. Quieter tonite, but I expect the full Warzone Experience tomorrow.

  • Matt S. July 4, 2015 (11:29 am)

    Same here, @Neighbor! The warzone effect will be much more fun preceded (and hopefully followed) by hot, miserable peace and quiet.

  • pilsner July 4, 2015 (1:28 pm)

    Call me crazy, but i actually enjoy the constanst droning rumble as i fall asleep. I have no idea why, i am not being sarcastic, it is oddly soothing. I look forward to the fourth and new years. Yes, the big ones close by startle me awake. But… Yeah i like it. Maybe i was in the ish in ‘nam, in a past life.

  • Seaview Hood July 4, 2015 (1:37 pm)

    @ Chuck & Sally’s Van Man… We’ve heard the same M-80 moron you’re referring to. It’s so loud and obnoxious. I understand that some people must light off fireworks because of the holiday.. but the m-80’s are redonkulous! With that said, I’m feeling extremely grateful that l/we don’t live in an actual war-zone, that’s for sure! Happy 4th everyone! Stay safe and have your hoses ready!

  • Anne S July 4, 2015 (1:59 pm)

    Fire is a very real danger this year. I hope most people will forego personal fireworks. And of course, as we do every year, we will be trying to soothe our freaked out pets. They genuinely suffer.

  • Kathleen Lillard July 4, 2015 (11:07 pm)

    Very dangerous situation on Vashon right now–explosions all over the island in defiance of warning by Vashon Fire and Rescue . . .

  • Sharon Hendricks July 6, 2015 (2:23 pm)

    Fireworks were going off last night (Sunday) well into the wee hours. I swear they were waiting for 5-10 minute intervals until everyone was back to sleep, then they would light off another. Can we call the cops even if we don’t know who it is lighting them? Does it do any good?

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