Tips from officials on how to stay safe Independence Day weekend

DES MOINES, Iowa- Independence Day weekend is a busy time of year for firefighters and police officers, and officials are providing tips to stay safe.

The first thing officials want people to keep in mind is the law, specifically where consumer fireworks are allowed and where they are banned.

Consumer fireworks are banned in the following Metro cities:

• Altoona
• Ames
• Des Moines
• Johnston
• Pleasant Hill
• Urbandale
• West Des Moines
• Windsor Heights

The following times are when consumer fireworks are allowed in other Metro cities on Thursday July 4:

• Ankeny: 9AM – 11PM
• Bondurant: 2PM – 11PM
• Grimes: 9AM – 11PM
• Indianola: 9AM – 10PM
• Waukee: 9AM – 11PM

Exploding or discharging consumer fireworks on days or times other than what the city allows can lead to paying a hefty fine.

Regardless of the city, though, firefighters say they see an increase in fires this time of year. Des Moines Firefighter Ahman Douglass said that roof and tree fires and burn injuries are common during the week of Independence Day.

“Surprisingly, we do see a lot of injuries, burn injuries, to children that are holding [sparklers],” he said.

Douglass recommends that people avoid giving any fireworks to children, including sparklers which are often considered a “family-friendly” item, because burns can happen.

Where fireworks are permitted, officials recommend setting them down and not holding onto them. This lowers the risk of losing an extremity or being burned. They also advise having a hose or bucket of water nearby. Plus, people should wait 24-hours and then dispose of the fireworks inside of a metal container.

Police say alcohol also plays a role in injuries during this holiday week because they see an increase in consumption during this time.

Sergeant Paul Parizek with the Des Moines Police Department said that over the past five years, there have been over 30 fatalities in car accidents during the week of Independence Day. Half of these incidents involved alcohol. They advise people to avoid any alcohol consumption if they are driving, boating, or operating fireworks.

However, this isn’t the only problem keeping police busy.

“People tend to thing we’re just chasing firework calls. This first week of July, we see about a 30% increase in priority one calls, that’s your shootings, your domestics, your crashes with injury. So, it’s a strain on our resources. We hustle pretty much throughout the whole holiday,” he said.

Officials say the safest and best way to enjoy fireworks is by attending the professional family shows. Click here for a list of them .

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