Three weeks of fireworks sales starts in Missouri ahead of July 4
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Thursday is the first day of fireworks sales in Missouri, lasting until July 10.
With Independence Day approaching, the Division of Fire Safety is urging Missourians to be cautious for their July 4 celebrations.
“Across the country, fireworks killed 11 people in 2022, with the youngest victim being only 11 years old,” State Fire Marshal Tim Bean said in a news release. “The most spectacular sights are at public displays put on by professionals. If folks choose to use consumer fireworks, please handle them with extreme caution and do not allow children to use fireworks.”
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reports that in 2022, 324 people in Missouri sought hospital care related to fireworks; 292 were treated in emergency rooms and released; and 32 were admitted to the hospital.
Katherine Rodriguez with the Columbia Fire Department gives some recommendations for staying safe this holiday.
"I would say the best thing to do is first and foremost, don't do them, especially in city limits, because they are prohibited," said Columbia Fire Department spokesperson Katherine Rodriguez. "But if you are going to do them, make sure that you have a bucket of water or even a fire extinguisher or a hose, something to quickly put it out in case something goes awry. I would also say make sure you're monitoring around children. A lot of times kids think that it's a toy. But they're really like a lit match, so you gotta make sure you're supervising kids."
With Mid-Missouri in a dry season, it is crucial to use extra caution if using fireworks experts say. Checking weather conditions takes on extra importance.
"You do not want to use fireworks near any kind of dry grass because it can spread very quickly if something were to go awry," Rodriguez said. "You want to make sure that you're nowhere near dry grass when you're lighting fireworks."
The City of Columbia's 72nd Annual Fire in the Sky event is a free Independence Day celebration with a professional fireworks display on July 4 at 6:30 at Stephens Lake Park.
