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Fireworks displays like those during Freedom Fest June 5-6 can be awe-inspiring, but without the proper precautions any celebration with fireworks can result in injuries, fires or worse.
Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory Fire Marshal Jeremy Williams said the fire department usually responds to fireworks-related calls during the summer months when it’s warm.
“And, obviously, before and after the Fourth of July,” he said. “We really don’t see too many firework incidents year-round.”
The majority of fireworks-related calls the fire department receives are for brush and grass fires, especially during the dry season. Luckily, there haven’t been any structure fires caused by fireworks for several years.
The fires are generally started when people set the fireworks off in the wrong locations.
“Obviously, when the grass is dry you don’t want to be letting them off in the middle of your yard. You should have a proper launch zone or make sure it’s asphalt or concrete,” Williams suggested.
He emphasized children should be kept away from the fireworks.
“Don’t let children light the fireworks. It’s definitely an adult thing, for sure - even sparklers. People think sparklers are fun and safe, but those things can still burn your hand. Those things burn pretty hot,” Williams said.
The state website on fireworks reminds Hoosiers of the Indiana fireworks law. Only individuals 18 years of age or older may purchase fireworks. A person 18 years of age or older must be present when anyone younger then 18 is using or possessing fireworks. Fireworks may be used only on the user’s property, the property of someone who granted permission for fireworks to be discharged or a place designated by the Indiana State Fire Marshal for the discharge of consumer fireworks.
When lighting a firework, Williams said it is “recommended, or required, that it’s 70 feet of clearance per 1 inch of shell. So you go to the local store and buy a 2-inch mortar, you obviously have to have a 140 feet clearance for fallout zone, which is what it’s called, so that’s something that would be required. That’s for the aerial fireworks, obviously not the fountains and things like that.”
Whenever lighting fireworks, a fire extinguisher and/or garden hose should be kept handy and ready.
There are primarily two types of fireworks, according to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security website. The most common are consumer fireworks (1.4g fireworks), which are small devices and frequently sold at retail fireworks stores statewide. The other kind of fireworks, called display fireworks (1.3g fireworks), are not legal without state and federal permits. These are more powerful fireworks meant for large displays or shows, and they are banned in many states.
As far as the legal limit of explosive material in a consumer (1.4 grams) firework, it’s 50 mg, or about the size of half an aspirin tablet. The 1.4 grams firework is the biggest allowed in the state without having a permit, and the biggest one can purchase in a local store without a permit.
The largest aerial cake permitted is a maximum of 500 grams. A cake is a multi-shot aerial firework in which pre-loaded tubes are arranged and fused internally.
Williams said both of the fireworks shows at Freedom Fest were consumer-grade fireworks.
“So a lot of people thought that was a really cool show. It was all consumer grade, and no permit was required for either one of those shows,” he pointed out.
Permitted shows have to go through the state website. “You can go on their portal, request a permit from the state of Indiana. That gets sent to me and the fire chief, and then we have to inspect the launch zones, and add several steps of what you can and can not do. As the local fire department, we sign off on that permit,” Williams explained.
The WWFT had a fire engine at the Freedom Fest fireworks displays on June 5-6.
Williams said it’s important a person never use alcohol or drugs while handling fireworks.
Don’t relight a dud firework. If it doesn’t go off, soak it in a bucket of water.
What may be surprising to some people is that fireworks are legal in Indiana year-round, between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m., except certain days around the holidays have extended hours.
Indiana cities, towns, and counties can pass their own ordinances that further restrict (but not expand) the state rules.
The city of Warsaw website lists approved dates and times for fireworks as: standard days, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.; June 29 through July 3, from 5 p.m. until two hours past sunset; July 4, from 10 a.m. to midnight; July 5 through July 9, from 5 p.m. until two hours past sunset; and New Year’s Eve, from 10 a.m. until 1 a.m.
The city’s information is listed online at https://warsaw.in.gov/627/Fireworks.
For complaints about fireworks usage, Williams stressed that a person should not call 911 as that’s for serious emergencies only. The non-emergency dispatch line is 574-267-5667.
Be respectful of neighbors and make sure you’re lighting fireworks within the legal timeframe, Williams said.
“Our goal is not to keep people from celebrating. It’s just to celebrate safely,” he stated.
For more information about fireworks safety and legality in Indiana, visit the state website at https://www.in.gov/dhs/get-prepared/fire-safety/fireworks-safety/
