Summer in South Jordan is a season full of celebration and fun—family gatherings, neighborhood cookouts, and firework displays. But the hot and dry months also bring a heightened risk of fire. The South Jordan Fire Department encourages all residents to take proactive steps to prevent fire-related accidents in and around your home.
Fireworks Safety Starts With You
Fireworks are a summer tradition, but they can also pose serious hazards. South Jordan City enforces strict fireworks restrictions in high-risk areas to help prevent accidental fires. Before lighting fireworks, check the city’s interactive map to confirm where fireworks are allowed.
If fireworks are permitted in your area:
- Purchase legal fireworks from licensed Utah vendors.
- Assess the Environment: Even in legal zones, hazards may exist. Keep fireworks away from vegetation such as bushes, grasses, and overhanging trees. Store unused fireworks at a safe distance from the ignition area. Ensure that spectators are far enough away to prevent injuries from errant fireworks.
- Ignite fireworks on stable, level surfaces away from grass, trees, buildings, or vehicles.
- Stabilize aerial fireworks with cinder blocks or bricks to prevent tipping.
- Supervise all use—children under 16 may not legally use fireworks. Remember, sparklers can burn at temperatures exceeding 1,200°F and can cause immediate burns or ignite clothing.
- Prepare for Emergencies: Have water nearby and soak used fireworks in a bucket before disposal. Do not discard fireworks in trash receptacles until they have been fully cooled down with water.
Improper firework use can cause serious injuries and start fires that threaten entire neighborhoods. Let’s keep celebrations safe and enjoyable for everyone!
Everyday Fire Hazards At Home
It’s not just fireworks—many fires start from common household activities. We want our residents to be cautious when:
- Smoking: Always extinguish cigarettes completely and dispose of them in a non-combustible container. Never toss them on the ground, in dry landscaping, or out of car windows.
- Outdoor Grilling: Keep grills 10 feet from your home or overhangs, and never leave them unattended. Clean grease traps regularly to prevent flare-ups. Only use charcoal in with cooking devices that have been specifically approved for charcoal use.
- Yard Maintenance: Clear dry grass, weeds, and debris from around your home to reduce flammable materials. Never burn weeds, seeds, limbs, or other yard debris as a means of disposal.
Be “Ready, Set, Go!” for Wildfire Season
South Jordan has an increased risk of wildfire like many other areas within Salt Lake County. The City’s proximity to open spaces means that wildfires are a real and growing threat. The Ready, Set, Go! Program, adopted by fire departments across the nation, helps residents prepare before a wildfire strikes.
- READY – Prepare Your Property and Plan: Create “defensible space” by clearing flammable vegetation within 30 feet of your home. Trim trees, remove dead branches, and keep gutters clear of dry leaves. Ensure your address is clearly visible to first responders and prepare a Go Kit with emergency supplies, important documents, and medications.
- SET – Stay Aware and Prepared to Evacuate: In cases where fire potential is high or fires are actively burning, monitor local alerts via South Jordan’s emergency notification system. Pack your car with essentials and back it into the driveway for a quick departure. Review your family’s evacuation plan and keep your phone charged.
- GO – Leave Early When Ordered: Don’t wait for an official evacuation order if you feel unsafe. Early evacuation not only keeps your family safe but allows firefighters to do their jobs more effectively.
Protect What Matters Most
Fire safety is a shared responsibility. From fireworks to wildfire preparation, simple actions can prevent devastating losses. It is also an important reminder to inspect or install working smoke, carbon monoxide, and flammable gas detectors on every level of your home, test them monthly, and replace them every 10 years.
Clear the Area for Emergency Responders
If you observe smoke or an active fire, please avoid the vicinity. Residential streets are often narrow and not designed to accommodate heavy traffic, especially during emergencies. Well-meaning individuals attempting to view the scene or capture footage can inadvertently obstruct emergency vehicles, delaying response times and increasing risks to life and property. For everyone’s safety, if you are near an emergency scene, please move away promptly to allow first responders to perform their duties without hindrance.
Visit the South Jordan Fire Department website for up-to-date information and additional resources. Together, we can enjoy a safe and fire-free summer!