St. Lucie County officials urge residents to use caution when handling fireworks this Independence Day. Misuse of fireworks can cause fires, harm residents and scare wildlife, including nesting sea turtles along Hutchinson Island.
The county’s Solid Waste staff reminds residents that fireworks should be thrown out as trash and not put into recycling bins. Whether they are used or unused: Do not place fireworks or any part of the fireworks in your recycling container. For proper disposal of fireworks: Put used fireworks in a bucket of water overnight, as they can still be burning on the inside long after the sparks have stopped. After soaking, remove them from the water and put them into a bag inside your garbage can.
For unused fireworks, completely submerge them in a large bucket of water and soak them until thoroughly saturated. Experts say this may take 15 minutes for small fireworks or as long as overnight for larger ones. Double-wrap the completely soaked fireworks in plastic wrap or two plastic bags so they do not dry out, then place the double-bagged fireworks in a larger trash bag and put them out with your household trash.
A reminder that propane tanks, cellphones and rechargeable batteries are hazardous waste and should not be put into recycling bins. These items, when placed into the recycling system, have caused fires inside the recycling and landfill facility in recent months.
Additionally, St. Lucie County’s Code Compliance staff reminds residents and visitors that bonfires and fireworks are prohibited on county beaches. Please help us keep Hutchinson Island sea turtle friendly, especially during the summer nesting season, which runs from March 1 – Nov. 15.
Hutchinson Island’s 21 miles of coastline are designated as a critical nesting ground for endangered and threatened sea turtle populations, including Loggerhead, Green and Leatherback turtles.
While the sale of fireworks is legal in Florida, St. Lucie County’s Code Compliance staff asked that residents not shoot fireworks over St. Lucie County beaches as the debris from these explosives leaves behind trash on our public beaches, while the flashes and loud sounds disturb wildlife and pets. Be sure that your homes/yards are secure, and your pets are microchipped/wearing proper identification, so they can be returned home, if they escape.
Public fireworks displays are scheduled in St. Lucie County at the following events:
- Stars Over St. Lucie on Thursday, July 4, 2024 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM (fireworks start around 9:00 PM), at Marina Square, 1 Avenue A, Fort Pierce. Presented by the City of Fort Pierce and Main Street Fort Pierce, this event will feature live music, crafts and food vendors.
- Freedomfest: July 4th Celebration at the MIDFLORIDA Event Center, 9221 Southeast Event Center Place in Port St. Lucie, on Thursday, July 4th from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The City of Port St. Lucie’s annual celebration will provide a day of patriotic fun, music and food for people of all ages. Fireworks begin around 9:00 PM.
- Paint the Town Red, White & Blue – Tradition’s 4th of July Celebration on Thursday, July 4th from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM in Tradition Square. Activities include food, arts & crafts, music, family fun and more. Fireworks start at approximately 9:00 PM.
If anyone observes sea turtle nest poaching or harassment of sea turtles on the beach, please call 911 or the Florida Fish and Wildlife hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC.
For additional tips about keeping our beaches sea-turtle friendly and to see the progress on nesting numbers, visit: www.stlucieco.gov/seaturtleseason.
