SAN ANTONIO, Tx — For many, it wouldn’t be the Holiday season without fireworks. Michael Rios, the owner of Liberty Fireworks, used to sell them in California where he says they are heavily restricted. He also says when he moved to Texas, he was surprised by the variety he was now allowed to sell.
“Just about everything on the consumer market is allowed,” Rios said. “There is not a single firework that I know of that exists out there, that is consumer grade that’s not allowed in Texas.”
So, when the Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office banned the sale of skyrockets with sticks and missiles with fins due to ongoing drought conditions, Rios says he knew it was a serious situation.
“It’s something that looks like this, a rocket that has a stick, or a missile that has a fin,” Rios said. “The idea is once they go up in the air it has a stick and some cardboard here and the cartridge can return back onto the ground and ignite a brush fire.”
Fireworks are illegal within San Antonio city limits, but they are allowed in unincorporated Bexar County. To avoid a trip to the hospital or a visit from firefighters while setting off fireworks it’s recommended to have water nearby, never relight duds, always light one firework at a time, and never hold a lit firework.
The Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office is encouraging everyone to attend a professional firework show this year because they say drought conditions make popping them yourself dangerous.
But for those who choose to buy their own it’s recommended to buy from licensed retailers.