Fireworks are a staple of the Fourth of July holiday, but they can also be dangerous. The Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department (MFRD) and Murfreesboro Police Department (MPD) are urging residents to take the necessary precautions to keep themselves and others safe.
MPD officers will be strictly enforcing traffic related laws as well as City fireworks regulations.
“We encourage residents to abide by the City’s fireworks ordinances at the same time practice safety this holiday,” said Police Chief Michael Bowen.
Each year, MFRD personnel responds to fires started by fireworks as well as fireworks related injury accidents.
“Incorrect and careless use of fireworks can cause serious injury,” said MFRD Chief Mark Foulks. “We want our residents to enjoy the holiday, at the same time, our goal is to educate residents about the dangers of fireworks.”
CITY FIREWORKS REGULATIONS
Residents are only allowed to use fireworks in the city limits of Murfreesboro on July 3rd, 4th, and 5th between the hours of 10:00 am and 11:00 pm. Seasonal sales of fireworks are only permitted from June 28 – July 5 from State-approved retailers. MFRD’s Community Risk Reduction Division inspected 14 fireworks retail sites Thursday, June 25 and Friday, June 26.
FIREWORKS SAFETY
The National Fire Protection Association estimates there were 19,500 fires started by fireworks in the United States in 2018.
MFRD encourages residents to enjoy public displays of fireworks instead of risking injury using consumer fireworks. The location of the City’s Annual Independence Day Fireworks display has been moved from McKnight Park on DeJarnette Lane to a new location on Medical Center Parkway near Fire Station 4. If citizens choose to use consumer fireworks, MFRD and MPD offer the following safety tips:
- Always purchase your fireworks from reliable sources.
- Only light fireworks outdoors on a smooth, flat surface away from homes, dry leaves and flammable materials.
- Read and follow all instructions, warnings and use common sense.
- Keep a garden hose or bucket of water nearby in case of a fire or malfunction.
- Wear eye protection.
- Never allow children to handle or ignite fireworks.
- Never try to relight fireworks that have not fully functioned.
- Sparklers are not toy items and cause hundreds of injuries every year. Sparklers burn hot, can reach temperatures as high as 1,200° F, and stay hot long after they’ve burned out. You wouldn’t hand a matchbook or lighter to a child to wave around or play with, so don’t give a child a sparkler.
PROHIBITED FIREWORKS
The City of Murfreesboro has banned residents from using bottle rockets, reloadable mortars, and sky lanterns.
To learn more about the City of Murfreesboro’s rules about fireworks or to access a link to the full text for the city code related to fireworks, please visit http://www.murfreesborotn.gov/FAQ.aspx?QID=192.
