The Mountain Home Fire Department is urging citizens to use caution when it comes to fireworks this Fourth of July weekend.
The safest way to enjoy fireworks, the fire department notes, is to attend a professional display. The Twin Lakes Area has at least 10 such displays planned for the weekend, with six displays scheduled for Saturday night and another four scheduled for Sunday evening.
For a complete list of those displays, visit KTLO.com.
Under state law, fireworks may be sold at retail outlets and used from June 20-July 10 and from Dec. 10-Jan. 5 each year.
The City of Mountain Home, like some other cities in area, prohibits the sale and use of fireworks inside the city limits. The penalty for violating that ordinance is a fine of up to $200.
For displays inside the city limits, Mountain Home requires a city-issued permit issued to a certified fireworks technician, and the fire department will verify that the applicant’s certification is valid and up-to-date.
Unincorporated areas of Baxter County do not have any additional fireworks restrictions besides what the state enforces.
For those wishing to set off fireworks themselves, the Mountain Home Fire Department offers the following tips for a safe Fourth of July:
– Fireworks should be stored in a cool, dry place. Do not drink alcohol or smoke when handling or discharging fireworks.
– Only use fireworks on a hard surface in a clear, open area. Only light one firework at a time and use an extended lighting device. Safety glasses should also be worn when discharging fireworks.
– Keep the audience a safe distance away from the shooting site, and keep an eye out for dry grass, brush or other flammable items that could catch fire. During windy conditions, be aware of the direction of the smoke and ash.
– Do not attempt to relight a malfunctioning or dud firework. Wait 20 minutes and then dunk the item in water.
– Assign someone as the “fireman” whose job it is to watch for fires and be ready with a fire extinguisher, garden hose or water bucket to handle any fires that develop.
– Never allow children to play with or detonate fireworks. Fireworks should not be used as a weapon, discharged inside a house or aimed at any building.
– Use caution when detonating fireworks around animals. Consider keeping any pets indoors during fireworks to help ease their anxiety and prevent them from running away.
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