Cedar Park Fire Department Asks Residents To #StopThePop

CEDAR PARK, TEXAS — As fireworks sales officially begin on Dec. 21 to run through Jan. 1, the Cedar Park Fire Department reminds residents within the entire fire service area not to use fireworks and be careful with cooking and other holiday-related activities.

While fireworks are popular this time of year, it is illegal to possess or use them in the City of Cedar Park and within 5,000 feet (just under a mile) of the city limits without a special permit, officials remind in a press advisory. The Cedar Park Fire Department responds to several areas of Travis and Williamson Counties, which are not in the city limits but are part of the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). Fireworks are also illegal in those ETJ areas that are served by the Cedar Park Fire Department.

“We realize that it can be confusing to know whether fireworks are illegal at your home, especially if you live in an area that is just outside of Cedar Park city limits," Cedar Park Fire Chief James Mallinger said. "This is why the Cedar Park Fire Department and other area Fire Departments in Williamson County have joined together to create an online map. It shows exactly where fireworks may and may not be used. It is still important to keep in mind that if you live less than a mile from Cedar Park city limits you could be breaking the law by possessing or using fireworks, and we still maintain that the safest thing to do is not use fireworks.”

To view the map, click here. It shows areas marked off in red that are the “buffer zones” surrounding area city limits. Fireworks are illegal both inside the city limits and in those buffer zones shown on the map.

The City of Cedar Park has a zero tolerance policy regarding fireworks, city officials said. In plain English, this means police will issue citations to any violators. The fine, including court costs, for possessing fireworks is $189 — no chump change if one considers the expense of the holidays.

“The reason we have zero tolerance with fireworks is that we’ve seen serious injuries and property damage from them," Mallinger said. What starts out as a good time can easily end in a tragedy and ruin the holiday season.”

Additionally, the Cedar Park Fire Department is asking residents to be highly vigilant in preventing house fires during the holiday season and the colder winter months. This includes using extreme caution while cooking indoors and outdoors, heating homes and patio areas and decorating with holiday lighting.

“One of the most common causes of fires we see is unattended cooking," Mallinger said. "When you are cooking, if you must leave the kitchen wear an apron or carry an oven mitt to remind you to check on your cooking.”

The Cedar Park Fire Department joined firefighters from several other departments across the region to make a video public service announcement called “Stop the Pop.” To see it, click here or simply watch it below.

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