Northwest Iowa — It’s the Independence Day weekend. While the Iowa Legislature discussed the legalization of fireworks like firecrackers, bottle rockets and the like this year, in the end they decided not to lift the ban on fireworks. We got some tips on staying safe with the legal ones from Sibley Fire Chief Kenny Huls.
He says a good rule of thumb is that if it goes up or blows up, it’s not legal in Iowa without a permit.
Huls says there are some things to keep in mind when setting off fireworks of any kind.
Huls says the fact that fireworks are illegal should be enough to make people think twice before making an illegal purchase, but he says he knows many people do it anyway. He tells us about the hazards.
Huls emphasizes that if you’re doing fireworks legally, like if you have a permit or if you’re doing them in a state where they are legal, you really have to be careful — not only about lighting fireworks and about those that misfire, but about where they are enjoyed — that they are both set off and aimed at a safe location — away from other people and away from things that could burn easily like dry grass, wooded areas, and hay or straw.
He says there’s something else to keep in mind with illegal fireworks.
Again, Huls says slow down and think about what you’re doing, have extra water available, and have enough adult supervision.
And he says the best advice is to leave the aerial and explosive fireworks up to the professionals.
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