Fireworks Safety

We would like to remind Kansans of the importance of fireworks safety this Independence Day. Fireworks are dangerous to both adults and children if not handled properly.

Out of 207 reported fireworks-related injuries in Kansas in 2018, males between the ages of 9 and 34 were the most commonly injured demographic, according to the 2018 Kansas Fireworks Injury Survey. Males represented 64 percent of the total number of injuries. Nearly half of the injuries involved children under the age of 18. Hands, eyes, face and head injuries were among those reported.

We want all Kansans to have a fun, safe Fourth of July, Doug Jorgensen, Fire Marshal for the State of Kansas, said. We know the safest way to enjoy fireworks is to visit public fireworks displays conducted by trained professionals who know how to properly handle fireworks. If you are going to purchase and partake in consumer fireworks, a few simple precautions can prevent you or your loved ones from becoming one of these statistics.

Fireworks Safety Tips

To help the public celebrate safely, the Office of the State Fire Marshal offers the following tips for the safe use of fireworks:

• 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
• Never re-ignite malfunctioning fireworks
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place
• Use a long-handled lighter

Bottle rockets and M80s are illegal in Kansas and extremely dangerous. The use or sale of these banned fireworks is considered a crime under Kansas law. 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.

Always refer to the local ordinances as to whether fireworks are allowed in your area as well as what types. Some cities or counties have restricted dates/times or types of fireworks that may be sold or discharged.