Safety Tips You Should Know Before Shooting Off Fireworks In Iowa

Another Independence Day, another weekend of people doing their best to try and not blow their fingers off. But the way to guarantee,100% for sure that you won't blow your fingers off from fireworks is by practicing abstinence... of fireworks.

But, because the state of Iowa finally took away the state-wide ban after almost 80 years of making fireworks illegal, plenty of your neighbors want to risk all 10 fingers and a few toes for a fun 4th of July. Now I might sound like a no-fun Nancy, but I like my appendages, all 21 of them. Plus, I like to drink on the 4th and I know that fireworks and Fireball could make my house become a bonfire.

The American Red Cross has been put out fireworks safety tips ahead of the 4th of July holiday and weekend. I'm here to just put them together for you.

When Can I Shoot Off Fireworks?

That's a simple answer. In Illinois, you can't at all ever.

In Davenport and Bettendorf, things are a little stricter. This is the ordinance for fireworks use in Davenport:

• July 3 (5:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.)
• July 4 (5:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.)
• December 31 (10:00 P.M. – 12:30 A.M. On January 1)

In Bettendorf, consumer fireworks are restricted to July 3 and July 4 from 2:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. each day. Also, the night of December 31 from 10:00 p.m. until 12:30 a.m., the immediate following day.

Fireworks Safety Tips

If you feel like you need to shoot off fireworks during the allowed times on the Iowa side, here are some fireworks safety tips.

• Don't drink and use fireworks.
• Burn at 1,200° Fahrenheit. Make sure you wait plenty of time before touching them
• Never give fireworks to small children, and never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures, or flammable materials. Always follow the instructions on the packaging.
• Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.
• Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
• Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight "a dud."
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.

Just Go To A Fireworks Show

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks show put on by professionals which we have plenty of in the Quad Cities.

Stay at least 500 feet away from the show especially if the people shooting them off claim to be "professionals".