Full Notification

GENEVA FIRE DEPT. URGES RESIDENTS TO BE CAUTIOUS WITH FIREWORKS!
Celebrating Independence Day this year heralds, among other things, fireworks and increasingly dry conditions - a potentially dangerous combination. The dry, breezy weather conditions have prompted City of Geneva Fire Marshal Jerry Koster to urge extra caution this year.

"The use of fireworks by individuals risks injury to the user and onlookers as well as posing a fire hazard for surrounding structures," Koster advised. "This year's extremely dry conditions elevate the risk that even small sparks created by consumer fireworks can lead to grass and brush fires, which can rapidly spread. The department has responded to many incidents of burning brush, grass and mulch in the last several weeks. In almost all cases the source of ignition was traced to a spark or heat from a discarded cigarette."

Data from the National Fire Protection Association proves this is not a hollow warning. The association's findings show far more fires are reported nationwide on a typical Independence Day than on any other day of the year, with fireworks accounting for more than half of those fires. Specifically, the group found fireworks caused an estimated 15,500 reported fires in 2010, including 1,100 total structure fires, 300 vehicle fires and 14,100 outside and other fires. Those blazes resulted in eight reported deaths, 60 injuries and about $36 million in direct property damage.

"The safe alternative to handling fireworks," Koster suggests, "is attending a public display. The most exciting and entertaining fireworks displays are always at large public shows."

The Police Department would like to remind that the possession and use of fireworks in Illinois is illegal.

425 ILCS 35/2 -- Possession, Sale or Use of Fireworks

Possession, sale, and use of fireworks. Except as hereinafter provided it shall be unlawful for any person, firm, co-partnership, or corporation to knowingly possess, offer for sale, expose for sale, sell at retail, or use or explode any display fireworks, flame effects, or consumer fireworks; provided that city councils in cities, the president and board of trustees in villages and incorporated towns, and outside the corporate limits of cities, villages and incorporated towns, the county board, shall have power to adopt reasonable rules and regulations for the granting of permits for pyrotechnic and consumer displays

Possession, Sale or Use of Fireworks.

Less than 1 year in Jail, up to 24 months probation,

conditional discharge and a fine of up to $2500.00 - .