With the 4th of July coming up, firework stands are popping up all over, but before you buy it is important to know the dangers of fireworks and how to use them safely.
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) compiled a report of injuries from fireworks in 2023. According to the CPSC report, 9,700 people were treated in ERs for firework injuries, and there were even 8 reported deaths in 2023. Over the last 16 years, firework injuries have seen an overall increase.
The CPSC and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security compiled together some firework safety tips.
Always use fireworks outside with a hose or bucket of water nearby. In case of a fire, or other mishap, it is important to have water nearby.
Make sure fireworks are legal in your area, and only purchase and set off fireworks that are labeled for consumer and not professional use. It is important to leave certain fireworks to the professionals and abide by any laws against fireworks in your area.
Ditch faulty fireworks and do not try to relight them. Sometimes fireworks don’t go off, but duds always pose a risk. If you have a dud, let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then put it in a bucket of water before throwing it away. This will disarm the firework so you can properly dispose of it.
Light fireworks one at a time and designate a safety perimeter. Lighting multiple fireworks at a time can increase the risk of accidents occurring from the fuse burning faster than designed. If you have ground-based fireworks like a fountain, spectators should be at least 35 feet away. For aerial fireworks, spectators should be at least 150 feet away.
Supervise children when they are handling sparklers. Sparklers burn at about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot enough to burn some metals. Sparklers can quickly ignite clothing, and children have received severe burns from dropping sparklers on their feet or touching their body parts.
Don’t forget about your pets. Fireworks can be extremely stressful for pets. To reduce some of the stress, keep your pets indoors and close the curtains or blinds, turn on the TV or radio to provide a distraction, and treat toys with their favorite food may also keep their mind busy and distracted from the fireworks.
Never use fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
After the fireworks are complete, to prevent a trash fire, douse the spent fireworks in water from a bucket or hose before disposing of the device.
Nebraska State Law only allows fireworks to be sold between June 24 and July 5 or between December 28 and January 1. Local jurisdictions have the authority to be more restrictive. A variety of fireworks may be sold across Nebraska; however, there are some restrictions. Fireworks sold at Nebraska stands must be legal in Nebraska. It is against the law to transport illegal fireworks into the state.
Nebraska law prohibits discharging illegal fireworks, such as M-80’s, cherry bombs, flying lanterns, wire sparklers, and more. A full list of illegal fireworks can be found on the Nebraska State Fire Marshal website. Nighttime Parachutes and Bottle Rockets are now allowed in Nebraska and firecrackers must have less than 50 milligrams of explosive composition
Broken Bow Police Chief Steve Scott has released the restrictions on fireworks in Broken Bow. Fireworks may be sold between June 25 and July 4, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Within Broken Bow City limits, fireworks can only be discharged from Tuesday, June 25 to Wednesday July 3, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. and on Thursday, July 4 from 9 a.m. and 12 midnight. The police will generally warn citizens the first time they discharge fireworks out of hours, but the second time a citation may be issued for disturbing the peace, at the discretion of the officer.
Broken Bow City Ordinance also makes it unlawful for any person to use, discharge, or explode any fireworks within any building or in the vicinity of any person or property in a manner that exposes such person or property to injury or damage. It is also unlawful to throw any fireworks from or into a motor vehicle, onto any street, highway, or sidewalk, at or near any person, into a building, or at any group of people. The same ordinance gives the City Council the right to ban or further limit the sale/discharge of fireworks in the event of dry weather or other weather hazards.
For any questions about fireworks, you can contact Chief Scott at (308) 872-6424
