The Fourth of July is coming up relatively soon, as the holiday is next Thursday. The Crookston Fire Department and the Crookston Police Department want to remind residents how to have a fun yet safe time when celebrating Independence Day.
CROOKSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Police Department would first like to remind residents about what is legal in the area regarding fireworks. “With the Fourth of July coming, I know that the public and everybody are just curious as to what fireworks are legal or illegal in Minnesota.” Chief of Police Darin Selzler says, “Minnesota, unfortunately, has some of the strictest fireworks laws in the Midwest anyway. Minnesota statutes 624.20 through 624.25 define the Minnesota fireworks regulations. They are kind of easy to remember. In Minnesota, basically, if they bang or they are airborne, they are illegal.”
The statutes even say the package shouldn’t leave the ground when shooting fireworks. Some now deemed illegal fireworks are firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles, and parachutes. Fireworks that are still legal in Minnesota include more novelty items such as fountains, cones, sparklers, and smoke bombs.
“Every year, the Fourth of July goes off really well in Crookston. We don’t have a lot of problems or a lot of complaints. You know, everybody wants to get in the spirit and use fireworks, but again, just keep in mind that if it does go bang or boom or it goes in the air, you never know. They might call the police on you. Other than that, I want everybody to be safe and have a good Fourth of July.” Selzer mentions.
CROOKSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Fire Department mostly wanted to give the public safety tips before the holiday festivities kicked off. “The only safe way to view fireworks is to attend a professional show. They put on fantastic shows, and realistically, you don’t have the burden of having to guy buy them, haul them, and light them off.” Fire Chief Shane Heldstab says, “You just get to sit there and enjoy them, so pick a great spot. That would be a fantastic way to be able to enjoy the fireworks on the Fourth of July.”
Fire Chief Heldstab also wanted to make the public aware of the following facts-
- Every year there are more than 19,000 fires that are started by fireworks
- Burns will account for 45% of the over 9,000 injuries that are treated in emergency rooms in and around the Fourth of July
- Half of all injuries related to fireworks involve extremities such as fingers, toes, arms, and legs. Also, a third of those injuries are eye or head injuries.
- Sparklers account for a third of all firework-related emergency room visits and can burn at temperatures up to 1200 degrees, so consider that before handing them to a small child.
- Children under the age of 15 are at the highest risk of being injured by a firework, with a third of all of their injuries occurring on the Fourth of July.
Regarding pet safety on the Fourth of July, “Make sure that you take them into account when you have these celebrations. You may have a hunting dog that thinks that loud boom is a gunshot and goes to take off. If you are sending off something that has multiple rounds or if it has multiple loud noises and that dog goes to take off, that dog is going right into the danger zone. So please make sure you have a plan to secure your animals.” Heldstab mentions, “Now, if your animal is on the other side of that spectrum and is frightened by loud noises, do what you can to ensure they have a safe space. Cats, dogs, any animals, if they don’t like those loud noises, do what you can to protect them.”
Consider all these tips to have a fun and safe experience with fireworks if you choose to view any or light any off.
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