CYPRESS, Texas – It wouldn’t feel like the Fourth of July without fireworks. Most people know to be careful while lighting firecrackers, fountains, Roman candles, and more, but fewer realize that just as much danger lies in what happens after. Improper cleanup and disposal of spent fireworks is a leading cause of fireworks-related house fires.
“Even fireworks that appear extinguished can smolder undetected for hours, turning trash cans, garages, and other enclosed spaces into ignition points,” says Cy-Fair Fire Department (CFFD) Fire Chief Amy Ramon. “Over the years, our department has responded to numerous structure fires that were a result of improper fireworks disposal, and in nearly every case, the resident simply didn’t know. That’s why CFFD is taking a proactive stand against this crucial part of fireworks safety.”
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This Fourth of July holiday season, the department is launching a first-time Community Risk Reduction initiative: a free fireworks safety bucket program designed to make safe disposal simple for residents. Beginning June 24 and running through July 3, CFFD will distribute 3,600 safety buckets through participating fireworks retailers, select Cypress-area H-E-B grocery stores, and the department’s administration building.
The initiative comes in direct response to an unusually high number of fireworks-related fires during the 2025-2026 New Year’s holiday, prompting department leaders to explore additional ways to reduce risk and improve public safety ahead of Independence Day celebrations.
“This bucket program is one of the most direct ways we know of to prevent fireworks-related incidents,” says Ramon. “A simple action like soaking spent fireworks in water can be the difference between a family’s going to bed safely and a family’s losing their home.”
How the program works
The CFFD safety bucket provides residents with a dedicated, easy-to-use solution for safe fireworks disposal. Here’s how it works:
- Fill the bucket with water before fireworks use begins.
- Place all spent fireworks, including apparent “duds,” directly into the water-filled bucket after use.
- Soak fireworks overnight. Keep the bucket away from the home and out of enclosed spaces until contents are fully cooled.
- Drain excess water. Place wet fireworks in a resealable plastic bag, tie them inside two plastic grocery bags, or double wrap them in plastic wrap. This ensures that they retain moisture. Even after the firework is soaked, chemical residue remains combustible when dried out.
- Dispose of bagged or wrapped wet fireworks in the trash, not in recycling or yard waste.
Ramon shares one additional clean-up task residents should be aware of: “Firework residue is toxic and needs to be swept up. Keep children and pets well away from it.”
Where to pick up a free bucket
Starting June 24, the first day fireworks can legally be sold in Texas, residents can pick up a free fireworks safety bucket at any of the following locations while supplies last:
CFFD Admin Buildiing
- 10710 Telge Road
- Houston, TX 77095
H‑E‑B Market at Tuckerton
- 9722 Fry Road
- Cypress, Tx 77433-4847
Cypress Market H‑E‑B
- 24224 Northwest Freeway
- Cypress, Tx 77429-5683
Grant and Spring Cypress H‑E‑B
- 14100 Spring Cypress Rd
- Cypress, Tx 77429-6286
Fairfield Market H‑E‑B
- 28550 Us- 290
- Cypress, Tx 77433-4288
Bridgeland H‑E‑B
- 20017 Bridgeland Creek Pkwy
- Cypress, TX 77433
TOP DOG Fireworks
- 19930 FM 529
- Cypress, TX 77433
TOP DOG Fireworks
- 20432 Northwest Fwy.
- Houston, TX 77065
CFFD worked with local H-E-B stores and participating fireworks retailers to expand the program’s reach far beyond what the department could accomplish alone. The partnerships reflect a shared commitment to community safety and give residents convenient, accessible locations to pick up a bucket where they’re already shopping.
“We’re grateful to our H-E-B partners and the local fireworks retailers who stepped up to help us get these buckets directly into the hands of residents,” says Ramon. “This kind of collaboration is how we make real progress on prevention.”
Click here to see a list of locations where fireworks buckets are available. Distribution runs through July 3.