Photos: State Sen. Jim Hendren of Gravette celebrated the Fourth of July early on Wednesday night. In a Twitter post he says, “So after putting on fireworks show for church and family, put spent fireworks in back of truck, doused with water hose to be sure nothing burning but apparently missed something. Had it not been for incredible first responders would have lost our house. All safe and grateful.” KARK reports the Benton County Sheriff’s Office reached out to Hendren to make a public service announcement about the dangers of fireworks. Hendren happily agreed. “If it wasn’t for the fire department making quick work of the fire, we could have lost my house and several other vehicles,” Hendren says. “I’m really glad no one was hurt. It could have been a lot worse.”
Fireworks are an American tradition and enjoyed by many in our community. Officials say the safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a professional display.
According to Arkansas law, fireworks may be sold at retail locations to residents of the state of Arkansas and used within the state of Arkansas only from June 20 through July 10 and Dec. 10 through Jan. 5 each year. Municipalities may further restrict the sale and use of fireworks within their respective city limits.
Baxter County does not have any ordinances or regulations further restricting the use of fireworks in the unincorporated areas of the county.
However, the City of Mountain Home has an ordinance prohibiting the sale or discharge of any fireworks in the city limits. The penalty for violation of the city ordinance is a misdemeanor and a fine not less than $75 and not more than $200. A permit may be obtained for discharge of fireworks in the city limits through the Mountain Home Fire Department. Permits will only be issued to a duly certified pyrotechnics technician, and the fire department will verify a proper and current certification is in effect.
To insure the safety of both the audience and those lighting the fireworks, the Mountain Home Fire Department recommends you follow the following safety measures during your fireworks display where permitted to be used.
-Minimum age to purchase fireworks is 12 years of age.
-Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.
-Do not use alcohol with fireworks
-Use fireworks on a hard surface.
-Use a clear open area. Keep the audience a safe distance from the shooting site. Watch for dry grass, dry brush, or any flammable items that could catch fire.
-Use care in lighting your fireworks. Always light fireworks with an extended lighting device. Light the fuse only at the tip.
-Light only one firework at a time.
-Do not attempt to relight a malfunctioning or “dud” fireworks. Wait 20 minutes and then dunk the “dud” in water.
-Have a fire extinguisher, water supply, hose, or bucket nearby. Assign someone as the “fireman” whose job is to be alert and ready to extinguish a fire.
-Be cautious during windy conditions. Be aware of the direction of the smoke and ash and watch fire embers reaching the ground.
-Use care in handling fireworks. Never smoke while handling fireworks.
-Store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
-Never discharge fireworks indoors.
-Never use fireworks as a weapon and never aim, point, or discharge at any property.
-Always use safety glasses when discharging fireworks.
-Use caution around animals.
Bull Shoals police, in a recent Facebook post, remind residents of the city fireworks may be discharged from June 30 through July 3 and July 5 through July 7 from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. and July 4 from 8 a.m. until midnight. Fireworks may not be discharged from public property including streets.
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