Florida law usually allows personal-use fireworks on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day -- two of only three days all year long when they are permitted. But a major rain deficit is shifting things a bit as we prepare to ring in 2026.
A pedestrian was killed Friday night in a crash on New Kings Road, marking Jacksonville’s 163rd traffic fatality and 36th pedestrian death of 2025, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
For the 10th year in a row, the Farah & Farah personal injury law firm is offering an option for getting a free safe ride home if you’ve had too much to drink on New Year’s Eve.
After a pair of crashes that sent three deputies to the hospital this month, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is urging drivers to avoid distractions and pay attention on the roadways, particularly over the holidays.
From festive Christmas trees to cozy space heaters, common holiday fixtures can quickly become fire hazards if proper precautions aren’t taken, Jacksonville fire officials warned.
While many families are hitting the road to celebrate the holidays, new data shows that the stretch right before Christmas can be one of the deadliest times to drive in Florida.
With alcohol-impaired driving involved in nearly one-third of all U.S. traffic deaths, AAA is once again stepping up during the holidays to offer its "Tow to Go“ program.
A new Consumer Reports investigation found that some squishy fidget toys can break open, and what’s inside may irritate kids’ skin, or even cause chemical burns.
As the holidays approach, many parents are excited to give their children the latest AI-powered toys. But a new report from the U.S. PIRG Education Fund sounds a cautionary note.
After an extended dry period, Jacksonville’s recent heavy rainfall has created hazardous driving conditions.
If your power goes out, there is a strong chance a utility worker will be restoring it, and every time that happens, they’re exposed to danger. JEA tests every tool, including the gloves that its lineman workers use to ensure their safety. Inside the JEA high voltage testing lab, it looks like a laboratory on a college campus.
The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department stated that it receives more fire calls when temperatures drop rapidly, primarily due to people heating their homes incorrectly. And with temperatures expected to drop into the upper 20s and low 30s in some parts of Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida this week, they’re making sure homeowners are aware of potential fire safety hazards.
Columbia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Jade and her handler, Deputy Kevin Bailey, made their debut at the most recent School Board meeting on Tuesday with a demonstration of their skills.
AAA is cautioning residents about a hazardous mix of increased foot traffic from trick-or-treaters, more weekend parties, and a higher likelihood of impaired driving.
JEA is asking you to alert the city-owned utility if any streetlights are out in your neighborhood so repairs can be made before Halloween.
Duval County schools are taking action to improve pedestrian safety for students after a troubling start to the school year that has seen six students hit by cars, with one incident ending in a fatality.
St. Johns County officials address rising e-bike accidents at packed town hall after 7-year-old's crash. Sheriff pushes for education, legislation as injuries on pace to double in 2025.
St. Johns County leaders are holding a town hall Monday night at the Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library as e-bikes become more popular and concerns about safety continue to grow.
Electric bikes—or e-bikes— can make riding a bike a breeze. But buying a new e-bike might not be so easy on your budget -- with some models costing over $10,000! Consumer Reports is here to help, breaking down the options and revealing top picks from its latest tests.
Three students in Duval County were struck by cars in just three school days, with one of the students dying from their injuries. The incidents have prompted urgent calls for action from school officials and community leaders, with District 3 School Board Member Cindy Pearson saying she has already begun taking steps to prevent further tragedies.
Gun safety is once again making headlines in Jacksonville after another child was accidentally shot with an unsecured firearm. The latest incident occurred Thursday at a home on Lem Turner Road, renewing concerns about how guns are stored in homes with children. This is not an isolated event. Just two weeks ago, a similar accidental shooting injured a child in the Mayport area. And in April, tragedy struck when a 2-year-old boy on the Westside died after finding his father’s gun and accidentally shooting himself.
“Bella’s Law” is named after a young girl who biked just feet from a busy highway to get to school. But her story — and her community — helped create lasting change.
As students return to classrooms across Georgia, safety is taking center stage — especially in Pierce County, where new technology and statewide laws are reshaping the way schools approach security.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) analyzed data collected from more than 16,000 attempted abductions from January 2005 to December of last year. What it found is eye-opening.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has recommended installing a pedestrian hybrid beacon crosswalk and refuge island on Baymeadows Road following a deadly crash in May, and the friend of the man who died with his 1-year-old son said he is “thankful” for the potential safety upgrades.
Jacksonville is once again under a heat advisory as sweltering temperatures continue to climb, with heat indexes feeling well into the triple digits, and accompanying the extreme heat is the concern of safety.
More students involved in martial arts are ending up in the ER with concussions, a new University of Florida Health study shows. And those injuries are happening more often in practice or class than in formal competition.
In a new investigation, Consumer Reports found bike helmets that don’t meet basic safety standards sold on major websites, and that’s not the only potentially phony safety gear you might find online.
As storms continue to move across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia, lightning safety remains a concern, particularly after strikes killed two Ware County teens and sent two more people to the hospital in St. Augustine Beach.
A Jacksonville mom learned a lesson the hard way when she unknowingly buckled her newborn into a fake car seat, thinking it was safe.
Knowing how to properly charge your golf cart is not just about keeping it powered—it’s also about preventing potentially devastating fires at home. The St. Johns County Fire Department has seen a rise in fires linked to golf carts, especially those with lithium batteries. Chris Naff of St. Johns Fire and Rescue said, “We are seeing about a 6 to 7% increase on our fires for golf carts over the last few years.”
The Jacksonville Beach Police Department has been working for months to prepare for the surge of thousands of people expected over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
The Fourth of July is Friday, and that means lots of food, fun and fireworks. If you’re planning to set off fireworks, it’s important to be careful.
Accidental shootings from unsecured firearms are one of the leading causes of unintentional death among children and teens, according to the CDC, and as summer unfolds, experts emphasize the importance of parents taking proactive measures to ensure their children’s safety when visiting other homes.
After tragedy struck with a deadly mass shooting at Florida State University, state leaders are urging all of Florida’s public universities to reevaluate their security measures.
The beach is associated with beautiful weather and fun, and Jacksonville Beach is no exception; however, as summer approaches, local law enforcement is reminding visitors to prioritize their safety as they have a good time.
Despite texting bans in almost all 50 states, distraction remains a prevalent problem among drivers, especially younger generations. But AAA says smartphones themselves — a common form of distraction — might hold the key to curbing this risky behavior.
Chris Naff, a public information officer with the St. Johns County Fire Rescue Department, highlighted four common mistakes that golf cart owners make when charging their batteries.
The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee will hold a meeting Wednesday to hear testimony from Boeing’s president, among others.
Online shopping is quick, convenient, and sometimes cheaper—but a new Consumer Reports investigation reveals a hidden danger: What are supposed to be life-saving products sold on major online marketplaces could be putting your safety at risk.
Parents know a child car seat is one of the most important products they can buy. The seats must help protect the tiniest cargo in an emergency.
Orange Park Junior High School has enhanced its campus security with new safety protocols, including ID checks and increased monitoring of social media threats, to protect students and staff.
Freezing temperatures and snow are moving across Florida this week. AAA has advice to help residents stay safe while protecting their home and car.
A wintery mix is approaching Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia, and snow is likely in Georgia, while most of Florida is set to see sleet and freezing rain.
The Kingsland Police Department started an Automated Photo Speed Enforcement Program in September. A captain of the department said early indications show the program is working
A Tallahassee father is on a mission to make Florida’s roads safer after losing his son a little over a decade ago.
Fireworks are a holiday favorite, but it’s important to understand the rules to avoid fines or injuries. In Florida, fireworks are only permitted on July 4th, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.
School shootings have become an all-too-common occurrence in the news, and the tragedy earlier this week in Wisconsin has brought deep sorrow to another community.
The city of Atlantic Beach is asking for residents’ feedback to help shape its Safety Action Plan, a project aimed at tackling traffic concerns across the city.
If you plan on drinking this Thanksgiving, it’s important to plan ahead. But if you get stuck and don’t feel safe to drive, AAAs’ Tow to Go program will be available.
It’s a time of year when families get adventurous in the kitchen and those cool temperatures call for the heater. But if people aren’t careful things could light up fast.
With Halloween being one of the deadliest nights of the year for child pedestrians, News4JAX wants to give trick-or-treaters the tools to have the safest night of frights possible.
Many dressers are safer than before, thanks to new safety standards, but older models could still pose a deadly risk.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, every 24 seconds, a fire department responds to a fire somewhere in the U.S. Even the simplest things can potentially catch fire.
State laws that allow motorcyclists not to wear helmets are costing lives every year, according to a new study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Consumer Reports explains why baby walkers are so dangerous and what parents can do to protect their children.
A new AAA analysis of five years of government crash data reveals a concerning trend: child seat and booster use declines after a child turns 3, despite the continued need for these safety devices.
Firefighters are encouraging people to think twice about where they store rechargeable batteries after a dog in Tulsa got ahold of one, chewed it and set its dog bed on fire.
Two safety groups -- Consumer Reports and the IIHS -- share their top picks and features so you know what to look for when buying a used car for your young driver.
Many people celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks, but remembering to create a plan before enjoying them is important to prevent injury.
The Fourth of July is considered one of the busiest and most dangerous times for boating. An increase in boaters on the water means an increased risk for accidents.
Max Ervanian, a training and operations officer with Ocean Rescue, said there are three things you need to do before you leave the house to better ensure your safety on the sand and in the water.
Drownings are increasing, which is why Consumer Reports explains it's critically important to follow basic safety precautions around pools, lakes, and the ocean.
Lightning strikes the U.S. about 25 million times a year! Your odds of being struck by it is one in 15 thousand. That sounds slim but if you play the lotto, your odds of winning is one in 300 million.
As temperatures start to warm up across the country and a lot more people are out and about, there are some safety tips to keep in mind when out at large gatherings.
Two children have died in hot cars so far this year. We're finding out how this type of tragedy can happen and ways to prevent another child from dying.
Deadly drownings for children under age 15 increased by 12% in 2021 compared to the previous year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) annual drowning and submersion report.
Safety advocates encourage people to weigh down umbrellas if they're headed to the beach this weekend.
Every 68 seconds, someone is sexually assaulted in America, and out of every 10 victims of rape, nine of them are female. Fifteen percent of sexual assaults occur in public places, so it’s imperative to be aware of your surroundings and who you give any information to. Experts say it’s more than ok to tell a lie when it comes to your safety.
The St. Augustine Police Department (SAPD) is gathering opinions from community members to understand how they could serve them better.
Three whistleblowers are warning of potential danger on Northeast Florida’s iconic drawbridges: downtown Jacksonville’s Main Street Bridge, St. Augustine’s Bridge of Lions, the Crescent Beach Bridge, and the Ortega River Bridge.
Following our I-TEAM investigation on apartment safety, the director of a company who conducts safety assessments shared his thoughts on the law that's designed to make apartments safer.
Charlie’s House is the nation’s first safety demonstration home -- designed from the ground up -- and dedicated to reducing at-home accidents and injuries.
Four popular, large pick-up trucks fell short in front-end crash tests measuring back seat safety, according to a new report from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Halloween is right around the corner, and with over 44 million children gearing up to transform into witches, wizards, pirates, and princesses, it's important for parents to be aware of some crucial safety measures. Here are some tips to ensure a safe and happy Halloween.
Friday at noon, festivities kick off for the Florida-Georgia game, which draws in tens of thousands of visitors to the city. To help keep everyone safe and ease the minds of attendees, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office will have safety measures in place.
More than 60,000 biometric gun safes are being recalled because of a serious safety hazard and risk of death caused by a programming feature that can allow unauthorized access to the safes.
In this week's SnapJAX Stories, a first-time snapper saw a fire truck with the lights on at a Southside gas station and knew it was an emergency. She pulled out her phone and started recording. Luckily, this story had a happy ending.
Consumer Reports is sounding the alarm about a popular product for kids that can hurt or even kill younger children.
