Fireworks Laws For Northern Colorado

This 4th Of July there are a plethora of professional fireworks displays. There are also a whole lot of people who will be setting off illegal displays of their own.  Yes, they look pretty, but there is a reason for the bans put in place. Starting a wildfire, burning your neighbors house down, losing an appendage; all just a few of the things that can go wrong when playing with explosives.

Just what are the fireworks laws in your area?

In Colorado, it is illegal for an person to possess or discharge any fireworks, except the following "permissible" fireworks: certain cylindrical fountains, cone fountains, wheels, ground spinners, illuminating torches, dipped sticks and sparklers, explosive auto alarms, cigarette loads, trick noise makers, snake or glow worm pressed pellets, and multiple tube devices. [SafeKids.org]

Those are the blanket rules for Colorado, but each city and county has their own set of rules as to what kinds of fireworks are allowed. If you plan on lighting anything be sure to know the laws or be prepared to face some steep fines and consequences.

• Colorado Fireworks Laws
• Fort Collins Fireworks Rules
• Loveland Fireworks Rules
• Greeley Fireworks Rules

If you're still planning your holiday weekend check out Cain's top 5 places to see 4th of July Fireworks.  You can also check out our sister station's site for Northern Colorado fireworks celebrations and 4th of July activities.

Be safe out there, and stay sober if you plan on getting behind the wheel.  There will be plenty of DUI checkpoints throughout the weekend in an effort to keep us safe on the roads.

Happy Fourth Of July!!! "What better way to celebrate our country's independence, than by blowing up a small portion of it!"

Fireworks safety tips from the US Product Safety Commission:

• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
• Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don’t realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals.
• Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
• Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
• After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.
• Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.

Last year nearly 2,000 Americans went to emergency rooms in the 30 days surrounding Independence Day due to fireworks related injuries. And data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission about 40% of those injuries happened to children younger than 15. Be safe out there, and don’t start any fires!

[Flickr user byasaa]