State Fire Marshal’s Office Urges Virginians to Leave Fireworks to the Professionals 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RICHMOND (June 29, 2023) - The Virginia Department of Fire Programs-State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) reminds Virginians ahead of the Fourth of July holiday weekend that the possession of and selling illegal fireworks is a criminal offense – leave fireworks to the professionals.

In general, any firework that explodes, moves on the ground or in the air, or shoots a projectile is illegal in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Many localities prohibit the sale, possession or use of all fireworks. The State Fire Marshal’s Office advises Virginians to check local ordinances as well as the Statewide Fire Prevention Code prior to purchasing and utilizing fireworks.

“The safest way to celebrate the holiday with fireworks is to attend a professional show,” said Billy Hux, State Fire Marshal. “Improperly handling fireworks can result in catastrophic outcomes including fires and severe injuries.”

Only “permissible fireworks,” as defined in the Code of Virginia, can be legally sold, possessed or used within the Commonwealth. A list of permissible fireworks can be viewed on the VDFP website.

The sale, possession and/or use of any fireworks not classified as permissible is prohibited. Violations can be prosecuted as a Class I Misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not to exceed $2,500 and/or up to one (1) year in jail. Any illegal fireworks can be confiscated and you can be summoned by a Fire Marshal or Law Enforcement Officer.

If you decide to use permissible fireworks, please follow these important safety procedures:

• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy, in case of fire or other mishap. Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding.
• Light fireworks one at a time, then move quickly away from the fireworks device.
• Never try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Soak them with water before discarding.
• Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse.
• Never point or throw fireworks (including sparklers) at anyone.
• Consider safe alternatives to fireworks such as party poppers, bubbles, silly string, or glow sticks.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office will be working over the holiday to ensure the safety of Virginia’s residents and visitors.

For more firework safety tips and information about using fireworks in the Commonwealth, visit the State Fire Marshal’s Guide to Fireworks in the Commonwealth – Virginia Department of Fire Programs (vafire.com).

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"Fire Won't Wait, Plan Your Escape" by following these safety tips

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RICHMOND (October 14, 2022) – As National Fire Prevention Week comes to an end, the Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) reminds Virginians that fire prevention is not just a week-long event but a year-round focus.

“Fire education is not just for children,” said Ken Brown, Community Risk Reduction Coordinator. “National Fire Prevention Week is about making sure everyone – kids, adults and seniors – understand how to stay safe in case of a fire.”

Follow these ten safety tips to keep you and your family safe:

1. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside of each bedroom
2. Create a home escape plan with your family and routinely practice fire drills together
3. Establish an outdoor meeting place for your family to gather in the event of a fire
4. Test smoke alarms every month and change batteries at least once a year
5. Keep a fire extinguisher in your home
6. Store matches and lighters in a safe spot and out of reach from children
7. Never leave a burning candle unattended
8. Keep portable heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn
9. Use electricity safely by never overloading circuits and replacing cracked or frayed cords
10. Have your furnace and chimney inspected and cleaned every year

The 2022 Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Fire Won’t Wait, Plan Your Escape,” works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from home fires. This week, VDFP released fire safety tips to help Virginians be prepared in case of an emergency:

• Monday, October 10: Smoke Alarms
• Tuesday, October 11: Know Two Ways Out
• Wednesday, October 12: Practice Home Fire Drills
• Thursday, October 13: Close Before You Doze

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"Fire Won't Wait, Plan Your Escape" by closing your door before you doze

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RICHMOND (October 13, 2022) – Did you know that closing your doors can reduce fire growth, limit damage and can even save your life if you become trapped during a fire? That is today’s tip from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) as part of National Fire Prevention Week.

According to the Fire Safety Research Institute, a closed door can make a 900 degree difference with an open-door room reaching 1,000 degrees compared to 100 degrees in a closed-door room.

“Make closing bedroom doors part of your routine,” said Ken Brown, Community Risk Reduction Coordinator. “Fire needs oxygen to burn and a closed door helps prevent the fire from getting more oxygen.”

For more information, visit the Fire Safety Research Institute’s “Close Before You Doze” webpage for more information: closeyourdoor.org

The 2022 Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Fire Won’t Wait, Plan Your Escape,” works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from home fires. Each day, VDFP will release fire safety tips to help Virginians be prepared in case of an emergency.

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"Fire Won't Wait, Plan Your Escape" by conducting home fire drills twice a year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RICHMOND (October 12, 2022) – Today’s tip from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) for National Fire Prevention Week is to practice home fire drills at least twice a year.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, while 71% of Americans have an escape plan in case of a fire, only 47% of those have practiced it.

“A home escape plan that is regularly practiced saves lives,” said Ken Brown, Community Risk Reduction Coordinator. “Walking through the plan – just like kids practice fire drills at school – ensures everyone knows how to escape if the smoke alarm sounds.”

Follow these steps to protect you and your family:

1. Practice home fire drills at least twice a year. Conduct one at night and one during the day and practice using different ways out.
2. Children should be taught what to do when they hear a smoke alarm and there is no adult around. Show them how to exit by crawling on the ground and using the back of their hand to check doors for heat before opening and to use a different way if the door is hot.
3. To conduct the drill, sound the smoke alarm and start the timer. Once everyone gets to the meeting place, stop the timer. If everybody made it out in two minutes, celebrate. If not, give it another try.

The 2022 Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Fire Won’t Wait, Plan Your Escape,” works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from home fires. Each day, VDFP will release fire safety tips to help Virginians be prepared in case of an emergency.

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"Fire Won't Wait, Plan Your Escape" by knowing two ways out of every room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RICHMOND (October 11, 2022) – As National Fire Prevention Week continues, the Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) urges Virginia residents to make an escape plan with two ways out of every room.

According to the NFPA, only one of every three American households have actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan.

“Fire moves fast and every second counts when you need to get out,” said Ken Brown, Community Risk Reduction Coordinator. “Developing a home fire escape plan that includes two ways out of every room and meets the needs of your family is extremely important.”

Follow these steps to protect you and your family:

1. As a family, draw a map of the layout of your home. Include all doors and windows. You can use this grid from the U.S. Fire Administration
2. Find two ways out of every room in case one way is blocked by fire
3. Teach children how to escape on their own in case an adult can’t help them
4. Make sure doors and windows open easily and are not blocked by furniture
5. Choose an outside meeting place such as the end of your driveway or your mailbox
6. Assign someone to call 911 once everyone is out
7. Make sure the address of your home is clearly marked and easy for the fire department to find

The 2022 Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Fire Won’t Wait, Plan Your Escape,” works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from home fires. Each day, VDFP will release fire safety tips to help Virginians be prepared in case of an emergency.

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"Fire Won't Wait, Plan Your Escape" by installing and testing smoke alarms

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RICHMOND (October 10, 2022) – National Fire Prevention Week is October 9-15 and the Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) reminds Virginia residents to check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in their home.

The 2022 Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Fire Won’t Wait, Plan Your Escape,” works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from home fires.

Working smoke alarms are an essential part of any home fire escape plan. According to the NFPA, three out of five home fire deaths result from fires in properties without working smoke alarms.

“You may have as little as two minutes – or even less time – to safely get out of your home during a fire,” said Ken Brown, Community Risk Reduction Coordinator. “A properly installed and maintained smoke alarm greatly increases your chances of surviving a home fire.”

Follow these tips to protect you and your family:

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas
• Choose interconnected smoke alarms, so when one sounds, they all sound
• Test smoke alarms monthly by pushing the “test” button and change the batteries at least once a year, if your model requires it
• Check the manufacturer’s date. If the alarm is 10 years or older, it needs to be replaced
• Teach children what a smoke alarm sounds like and what to do if it goes off

VDFP is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week. Each day, VDFP will release fire safety tips to help Virginians be prepared in case of an emergency.

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State Fire Marshal’s Office Stresses Firework Safety During the Fourth of July Holiday

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RICHMOND (June 29, 2022) - The Virginia Department of Fire Programs-State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) urges Virginians ahead of the Fourth of July holiday weekend to leave fireworks to the professionals.

In general, any firework that explodes, moves on the ground or in the air, or shoots a projectile is illegal in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Only “permissible fireworks,” as defined in the Code of Virginia, can be legally sold, possessed or used within the Commonwealth. A list of permissible fireworks can be viewed on the VDFP website.

Many localities prohibit the sale, possession or use of all fireworks. The State Fire Marshal’s Office advises Virginians to check local ordinances as well as the Statewide Fire Prevention Code prior to purchasing and utilizing fireworks.

VDFP’s State Fire Marshal’s Office serves as the fire code enforcement sector of the state government training agency. Roughly 125 retail locations were inspected by SFMO in 2021, where nearly one-third locations were found to be selling non-permissible fireworks. In 2021, more than 10,000 non-permissible fireworks were confiscated that were either for sale, or in possession.

“We urge Virginians to leave fireworks to the professionals,” said Billy Hux, VDFP Assistant State Fire Marshal of Special Operations. “As in years past, the State Fire Marshal’s Office, Local Fire Marshals and Local Law Enforcement will be out inspecting retail locations to ensure items being sold meet the Code of Virginia definition for Permissible Fireworks.”

The sale, possession and/or use of any fireworks not classified as permissible is prohibited. Violations can be prosecuted as a Class I Misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not to exceed $2,500 and/or up to one (1) year in jail. Any illegal fireworks can be confiscated and you can be summoned by a Fire Marshal or Law Enforcement Officer.

If you decide to use permissible fireworks, please follow these important safety procedures:

• If you have fireworks, make sure they are on the 2022 Virginia Permissible Fireworks List
• Check local ordinances on the use of fireworks
• Fireworks can only be used on private property with the consent of the owner
• Never use fireworks indoors or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Ensure adequate clearance from people, buildings and combustible material
• Have a garden hose or other water source readily available in case of fire
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions
• Never hold the fireworks in your hands while lighting them
• Never point fireworks at a person

If you wish to report illegal fireworks, contact your local police department or contact the State Fire Marshal’s Office at (540) 270-6617.

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