Crazy Ed Fireworks Warns Bigger Products, Brush Piles Raise Safety Concerns in Salina
Fireworks may be part of the Fourth of July tradition, but Salina residents are being reminded that local rules limit when and where they can be used.
Fireworks may be part of the Fourth of July tradition, but Salina residents are being reminded that local rules limit when and where they can be used, and this year comes with added safety concerns.
Inside Salina city limits, fireworks may only be discharged on July 3 and July 4 between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.
Fireworks cannot be discharged on public property, including streets, parks, roadways, sidewalks, and cul-de-sacs. They may only be used on private property with the property owner’s permission.
Local rules also prohibit discharging fireworks from vehicles, toward people, near certain care facilities, or within 300 feet of a fireworks sales location. Sky lanterns are banned.
Salina311 spoke with Erick at Crazy Ed’s, who said safety may be especially important this year because several manufacturers have released special edition fireworks tied to the 250th anniversary of the United States. According to Erick, many of those products are one-time releases and some are more powerful than what customers may be used to.
Erick said that is not simply a sales pitch, but something customers should understand before lighting them.
“A lot of manufacturers are doing special edition fireworks this year that will only be available once,” Erick told Salina311. “Many of those are overpowered. They got away with some things by skirting the edge of what is technically legal. I’m sure it will be stopped after this year.”
He said customers should read labels, follow instructions, and take extra care with larger multi-shot fireworks.
One safety message Crazy Ed’s has stressed to customers is simple: ABC — Always Brace Cakes.
In fireworks terms, “cakes” are multi-shot fireworks that fire multiple effects from a single unit. Erick said those should be braced or stabilized before being lit so they do not tip over after firing begins.
The warning is especially relevant in Salina this year because storm debris and brush piles remain throughout parts of the community. Residents lighting fireworks should be aware of nearby limbs, piles of dry brush, damaged trees, fences, yards, garages, and trash containers.
A single tipped firework or hot ember could create a fire hazard quickly, especially near debris piles left from recent storm cleanup.
The Salina Fire Department recommends keeping a water source nearby, lighting fireworks one at a time, moving away quickly after lighting, and never trying to relight a dud firework. Used fireworks should be soaked in water before being thrown away.
The department is also promoting its Fireworks Bucket Brigade, which provides free five-gallon buckets residents can use to soak spent fireworks before disposal. The buckets are being distributed at fireworks tents inside Salina city limits, with one bucket available per household while supplies last.
Residents should call the Salina Police Department at 785-826-7210 to report fireworks violations. Emergencies requiring police, fire, or EMS response should still be reported by calling 911.
Inside Salina city limits, fireworks may only be discharged on July 3 and July 4 between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.
Fireworks cannot be discharged on public property, including streets, parks, roadways, sidewalks, and cul-de-sacs. They may only be used on private property with the property owner’s permission.
Local rules also prohibit discharging fireworks from vehicles, toward people, near certain care facilities, or within 300 feet of a fireworks sales location. Sky lanterns are banned.
The Salina Fire Department recommends keeping a water source nearby, lighting fireworks one at a time, moving away quickly after lighting, and never trying to relight a dud firework. Used fireworks should be soaked in water before being thrown away.
Residents should call the Salina Police Department at 785-826-7210 to report fireworks violations. Emergencies requiring police, fire, or EMS response should still be reported by calling 911.