YORK – The latest episode of Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill’s (R-York) podcast, Kristin’s Corner, features a discussion on firework safety with the Chad Deardorff, who serves as the Fire Chief for the City of York.
“With the impending Fourth of July holiday and increased calls into our district office about safety concerns over fireworks, this conversation is really important for our entire community to ensure a safe, legal and respectful holiday weekend,” Phillips-Hill said.
The City’s top fire official notes that there were four fires in April that were attributed to fireworks with several others under active investigation.
“Just because it is legal to purchase fireworks does not mean it is legal to set them off,” Deardorff said.
The governor signed Act 43 into law in 2017 that legalized consumer grade fireworks, which removed the prohibition of individuals purchasing and setting off bottle rockets and Roman candles, among other aerial fireworks.
The law prohibits anyone under the age of 18 from purchasing fireworks. The law also prohibits setting off a firework:
- While under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- On private or public property without the owner’s permission.
- Inside a motor vehicle.
- Directed at a motor vehicle.
- Within 150 feet of an occupied dwelling.
As a member of the House of Representatives, Phillips-Hill voted against the measure based on safety concerns from the local firefighting community and constituent concerns.
The podcast with the senator and fire chief covers topics on how neighbors can work together to mitigate risk over the Fourth of July as well as potential legislation that would increase fines and penalties for those who set off fireworks in violation of the law.
Phillips-Hill’s podcast, as well as instructions on how to subscribe to the podcast can be found on her website at https://www.senatorkristin.com/podcast. The program runs 12 minutes.