What are the laws regulating fireworks in Topeka and Shawnee County? Here's what to know.

Vendors have been legally selling fireworks in Topeka since Saturday, but users won't be able to legally shoot them off until Wednesday.

Topeka's city government allows fireworks to be sold within city limits over a six-day period from June 29 to July 4 and discharged over a two-day period from July 3 to 4.

The Topeka City Council approved those regulations in March 2018. The city previously allowed fireworks to be sold over nine days and discharged over six.

Mandatory minimum fine for fireworks regulation violations is $250

Topeka's ordinance regulating fireworks allows for them to be discharged from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 3, which is Wednesday, and from 10 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on July 4, which is Thursday.

Anyone discharging fireworks outside those hours may be ticketed and have their fireworks seized.

The mandatory minimum fine for violators is $250, according to the city's website.

"Violations may be punished up to a fine of $499 and/or 179 days in jail," that site says.

What are the regulations in Shawnee County outside Topeka?

Licenses to peddle pyrotechnics have been issued for 52 sales locations in Topeka and unincorporated Shawnee County.

In unincorporated parts of Shawnee County outside Topeka, fireworks sales began Thursday, June 27, and run through Friday, July 5.

Shooting off fireworks became legal beginning Thursday, June 27, and remains so through Thursday, July 4, in unincorporated parts of Shawnee County outside Topeka.

On each of those days, the county government allows for fireworks to be shot off between 8 a.m. and midnight.

What fireworks are illegal in Topeka and Kansas?

Topeka's fireworks ordinance bans the use of metal sparklers, as well as any fireworks prohibited by federal or state laws.

Kansas law bans people from shooting off bottle rockets and M80s, according to the website of the Kansas State Fire Marshal's office.

"The use or sale of these banned fireworks is considered a crime under Kansas law," that site says. "It is also illegal in Kansas to shoot fireworks on or under any vehicle, on any public roadway, within 50 feet of a fireworks stand or where fireworks are stored, and at gas stations or any place liquid gas — including propane — is stored."

What do I need to do to stay safe on Independence Day?

The fire marshal's office shared these safety tips for fireworks users:

• Always ignite outdoors.

• Have an adult supervise all fireworks activities.

• Have a water supply nearby.

• Light from a solid, flat and stable platform.

• Light only one firework at a time.

• Make sure fireworks debris is cooled off completely before disposing of it.

• Never re-ignite malfunctioning fireworks.

• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place.

• Use a long-handled lighter.

Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.