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Author: RevolutionStone

Apr 4th 2014 at 9:32:52 PM

*Don't commit arson. This seems like an obvious statement, but setting fires or setting off explosions can be a felony criminal offense of arson or of terrorism-related offenses, with all that entails, even if it is your own property and/or even if your intent was "just to have fun," especially if the fire or explosion causes damage other than to its intended place.
** Setting off fireworks/pyro or starting fires in public areas without permission is almost always asking for being charged with this crime - even if you're only burning tires or a trashcan to celebrate your favorite sports team winning or setting off a firework in an urban area in a holiday celebration. To avoid criminal penalties ''only'' set public fires in designated fire pits (e.g. a bonfire pit at the beach is okay as long as it's clearly marked as such) and only use fireworks/other pyrotechnics or fire displays (yes, even stuff like a firebreathing or fire-eating show where you are likely the only person in danger) in public areas if you are properly licensed and have the proper permits to do so from burn permits to film permits.
** If you are legitimately using fire beyond a firepit or barbecue, or explosives or pyrotechnics at all on your own property (e.g. razing a building, burning leaves, practicing firebreathing or other pyrotechnic stunts) again make sure you have the proper permits if any are required, that you have warned neighbors AND that you have proper safety precautions in place to prevent fire spread or a stray firework or bottle rocket.
** Don't light fires or use pyrotechnic displays (or even fire firearms) in hazardous fire conditions, or where the fire could easily spread to a wooded or grassy area. Too many devastating wildfires have resulted from this, and if you are found to be at fault for a wildfire, you often ''will'' be charged with felony arson. Check the weather forecast for burn bans or high winds, and remember the following mnemonic for safe areas for fire or explosives - CADSS; cement, asphalt, dirt, sand, snow. If grassy or forested areas are even ''possibly'' within landing range of embers from a bonfire or a landing firework or bottle rocket, it's likely not a good idea to engage in such activities in the area, and having even your barbecue on your wood deck instead of your cement/asphalt driveway is asking for trouble.
** If you have an interest in fire/pyrotechnics/explosives, there are safe places to explore this - specifically, rocketry or pyro ranges, areas set up for fire pits or burns, or similar. 
** If you have an ''unhealthy'' interest in fire or explosives (e.g. you desire to harm others with them, you have a compulsion to set fires for their being noticed/in areas where they are dangerous, you ''only'' or ''primarily'' gain sexual release from fire) you likely suffer from the mental disorder pyromania (one percent of all people, and 50 percent of convicted arsonists have this disorder), and there is help and therapy available - seek it before you end up harming people or being arrested or both.