Police: As July 4 approaches, use fireworks in responsible way

Firework stands throughout Nebraska – including Cheyenne County – opened up shop last week. Since then, the Sidney Police Department has been fielding calls from some residents complaining about the noise, smell and smoke emitted from the combusting devices.

Sidney has a few city regulations regarding fireworks, but largely follows state statutes.

Within city boundaries, setting off fireworks is prohibited after 10 p.m. – except for the Fourth of July when that time is extended to midnight. Fireworks are also prohibited in Legion Park.

While Nebraska statutes set forth more rules for setting off fireworks – like not throwing them from or into motor vehicles – Sidney Police Chief B.J. Wilkinson said responsible use of the devices is largely based on common sense.

"All fireworks by design are incendiary devices," he said. "They somehow ignite something, which means something gets hot. Sometimes it means that something hot flies up into the air and has a report that goes 'pop' or 'boom.' "

It's important to understand what a particular firework is going to do and ensure there's enough room to safely set it off.

"Understand what it's supposed to do – read the package – and make sure that you understand that if it's going to spin around in a circle and throw sparks, you don't do that standing around a bunch of little kids with sandals on," he said.

Caution should be paid to fireworks that shoot into the air, he added.

"If you're going to shoot something up in the air, and on the package it says it will go 20 feet in the air and then go 'pop,' make sure you've got the space to do that," Wilkinson said.

Given the nature of fireworks, children should be closely supervised when setting them off.

"Make sure that kids playing with fireworks are properly supervised," he said. "You're allowing a child to play with a lighter or matches or something else out, and you're allowing them to send something up in the air or have it spinning while it's on fire or it's sparking on the ground."

Even when igniting smaller fireworks – like smoke bombs or worms – adults need to keep out a watchful eye, he said.

Besdies the safety of spectators and those lighting the devices, Wilkinson said fire safety should also be considered.

"We haven't had a lot of rain the past couple weeks," he said. "Playing with fireworks, the potential is we're going to catch something on fire."

Fields have begun to dry out with the warm weather, and combined with a spark and breeze, small grass fires can quickly grow in size.

"We need to make sure that we're being responsible with things that we shoot, things that we play with, so that we're not catching stuff on fire," Wilkinson said.

While some people enjoy Fourth of July celebrations, others can be irritated by it – and the mess it leaves behind.

Firework packaging and used canisters and ashes should be safely disposed of, and people need to be mindful of their neighbors.

"Be safe, be respectful," the chief said. "If the neighbors are complaining about it, stop doing it. Find out a time from the neighbors that'd be OK with them if you set some of your fireworks off – and then respect it."

Common courtesy, paying attention to surroundings, supervising children and cleaning up are important things to keep in mind while celebrating the Fourth of July holiday and using fireworks, he added.