Safety first on the Fourth

By Susan Schwarz

Monday, July 2, 2007

Dan Burnstein said watching fireworks has been a part of his Fourth of July celebration for as long as he can remember.

Burnstein, Chicago senior, is spending his first summer in Lawrence and said the city’s ban on fireworks is not likely to affect his use of them this year.

Lawrence mayor Sue Hack said the ban was implemented because of citizen requests and fires that could result from the use of fireworks.

Hack said that fireworks are still sold in the county and that she understood the city can not stop all fireworks from being shot off in the city, but that the police department will respond.

Burnstein said most people probably associate the Fourth of July with fireworks because people always see increased marketing for the items around that time. He also said that he has never been hurt using fireworks because he has been cautious. Burnstein said that if people are not careful it is likely they will get hurt.

Eve Tolefree, chief of support services for the Lawrence Fire and Medical Department, said the greatest danger people face on the Fourth are injuries to the eyes and face resulting from fireworks.

Tolefree said the best way to keep the community safe is to follow the ordinance set by the city that bans fireworks.

“Even though fireworks are illegal for possession, use and sale, novelty items not classified as fireworks are permitted. These are also classified as ‘Safe and Sane’ fireworks, which usually means fireworks that do not fly or explode.” Tolefree said.

Such items like party poppers and sparklers were acceptable under this proviso, Tolefree said.

Tolefree said she hopes people will follow the ordinance and supervise children when they use any type of fireworks.

Sergeant Paul Fellers of the Lawrence Police Department said the police will respond to both complaints of fireworks and fireworks heard while patrolling.

City prosecutor Jerry Little said that last year he saw two or three cases come through the court system regarding fireworks.

“A lot of the times the officers will just take the fireworks instead of sending them through the court system,” Little said.

The fine for the first offense of shooting off fireworks is a minimum of $100 and a maximum of $200. For the second offense the fine remains the same and the person charged can also face up to six months of jail time, Little said.

— Edited by Ben Smith

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