As the Fourth of July draws near, the Miami-Dade County Department of Solid Waste Management (DSWM) is issuing a reminder for residents on the importance of the safe disposal of fireworks and charcoal ash. These measures are crucial to avert injuries and property damage, and to prevent damage to waste carts which might lead to additional fees for residents.

To dispose fireworks, the DSWM recommends thoroughly drenching both used and unused fireworks in water for a period ranging from a couple of hours up to a full day. "All fireworks, used and unused, should be completely submerged in a bucket of water for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours prior to disposal," the department advised in a statement. Once fully saturated, the fireworks should be bagged securely and then placed in the green garbage cart provided by the county.

Regarding the proper disposal of charcoal ash, the guidelines state that it should be allowed to cool for no less than 48 hours before disposal. It can then be wrapped in a durable aluminum foil and placed in the green garbage cart for collection. These preventive steps are designed to lessen the risk of fire accidents post-celebration that could stem from hot ashes or undisposed fireworks material.

Residents who neglect these safety measures and consequently damage their waste carts due to improper disposal may face a cart replacement fee. The DSWM encourages constituents to visit the Miami-Dade County Fire Department’s Fireworks Safety Webpage for further information on fireworks safety. In addition, information on the DSWM’s Independence Day holiday collection, disposal, and facility schedule can be found on their official Independence Day holiday schedule news release.