CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — There are several things you can do this Fourth of July weekend. Spend time with family, have a cookout, head to the beach... but a reminder from the Corpus Christi Fire Department: you cannot discharge fireworks within the city limits, including at the beach. 

If caught with fireworks, residents can face a fine up to $2,000 per opened package.

To report the illegal discharge of fireworks, contact 361-886-2600. Do not call 911 for fireworks complaints.

Nueces County has also prohibited aerial fireworks in the county due to drought conditions. 

Last year, two minutes after a Padre Island firework show, a fire started on a spoil island and burned for hours. 

RELATED: Fire on Padre Island ends after burning for several hours

The National Fire Protection Association said about 19,000 fires are started each year with fireworks. Fireworks started an estimated 19,500 fires in 2018, including 1,900 structure fires, 500 vehicle fires, and 17,100 outside and other fires. These fires caused five deaths, 46 civilian injuries, and $105 million in direct property damage.  

RELATED: Bans on sale, use of aerial fireworks grow leading up to Fourth of July. Here's where your county stands.

CCFD offers these firework safety tips for those who will be legally handling fireworks this holiday weekend:

A new report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) shows an upward trend in fireworks-related injuries. Between 2006 and 2021, injuries with fireworks climbed 25% in the U.S., according to CPSC estimates. 

Last year, at least nine people died, and an estimated 11,500 were injured in incidents involving fireworks.

“It’s imperative that consumers know the risks involved in using fireworks, so injuries and tragedies can be prevented. The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to watch the professional displays,” said CPSC Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric. In addition, he said, “CPSC’s Office of Compliance and Field Operations continues to work closely with other federal agencies to prevent the sale of illegal consumer fireworks.” 

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