As things heat up for the Fourth of July holiday weekend, Rolla Fire Chief Robert Williams and Fire Marshal Larry Seest remind residents of the dangers of fireworks.
“I would just like to remind people that these are explosive devices, regulated by the Department of Transportation,” Chief Williams said.

Seest, who with Williams, has inspected the numerous fireworks tent locations in Rolla, asks that parents supervise the ignition of fireworks.

“It’s important that parents supervise children. Keep a watchful eye on their children,” Seest said.

The duo also reminds persons to destroy malfunctioned fireworks. The accepted procedure is to soak the malfunctioned device in a bucket of water before disposing.
“It’s so important that they not try to relight a malfunctioned device,” Williams said.
City ordinance allows for fireworks to be discharged from 8 a.m. until midnight from July 1 to 5, providing for an eight-hour curfew overnight.

The ordinance allows for the curfew, Williams said. It also allows for fireworks to be discharged during the Lions Club Carnival.

“It’s important that residents be considerate of their neighbors,” he said.
In a typical year, during the July Forth holiday, fireworks cause more fires in the U.S. than all other causes of fire combined.

Thousands of people are injured by consumer fireworks each year, and according to the National Fire Protection Association, fireworks caused an estimated 1,800 total structure fires and 700 vehicle fires reported to fire departments in 2005.

These fires resulted in $39 million in direct property damage. The NFPA report said U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated more than 9,000 people for fireworks related injuries in 2006.

In addition to the eight-hour, overnight curfew, no fireworks shall be discharged within 50 feet of any stand, booth, or other location where fireworks are being sold, the city ordinance states.

It is also unlawful for anyone to discharge fireworks in City parks any day throughout the year (Section 31-1, Rolla City Code). Parks and Recreation Director Ken Kwantes and his staff have posted numerous signs in City parks to alert the public.

  “When discharging fireworks, children should always be supervised by an adult and exercise extreme caution,” said Williams. “Fireworks are considered dangerous explosives that can inflict injury and death.”

(Rolla City Communications Director Scott Grahl contributed to this report.)