With holiday approaching, police see upswing in fireworks complaints

While explosion-filled holiday celebrations have already begun, police remind citizens to be conscientious neighbors and to practice precaution.

Although the city allows all fireworks that are legal in the state to be sold within its boundaries, Sidney does stipulate the time during which these fireworks can be discharged. The city allows private citizens to shoot off fireworks between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. with eight of hours of quiet time in between. On July 4, the city allows fireworks until midnight.

Noise complaints concerning fireworks have been fairly plentiful in the week leading up to the holiday.

"The Police Department has been responding to 5-10 calls per evening since the stands opened, and each night as we head into the 4th of July, the number and volume seems to increase," said Sidney Chief of Police B.J. Wilkinson in a press statement.

According to Nebraska state statute, "A person commits the offense of unlawful throwing of fireworks if he or she throws any firework, or any object which explodes upon contact with another object, from or into a motor vehicle; onto any street, highway, or sidewalk; at or near any person; into any building; or into or at any group of persons."

Each of the offenses in that statute are prohibited individually, Wilkinson said.

"Any one of them is against the law, and could be very dangerous, which is the bigger concern," he said.

Around 8,700 people in the United States went to the emergency room for fireworks-related injuries in 2012, according to a report by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

"Each Fourth of July season, we see tragic accidents and an uptick in fires caused by consumer fireworks," said Lorraine Carli, National Fire Protection Association vice president of outreach and advocacy. "Even sparklers, which are often thought of as harmless enough for children to hold, burn at 1200 degrees Fahrenheit and can cause significant injuries."

Wilkinson recommends that children be supervised when playing with fireworks, including sparklers.

"Injury to the young and inexperienced can be avoided," he said.

Citizens should also take caution when lighting fireworks in hot, dry conditions that could easily lead to fires.

"When fueled by dry grass and the wind, they could get out of control easily," Wilkinson said.

The Sidney Police ask that those enjoying holiday revelry be respectful of neighbors' property and peace and quiet.

"If someone calls and says they can't stand the noise, we will ask you to stop," he said. "Disturbing the peace of another person or persons can result in a citation."

Wilkinson advises that citizens use fireworks for the purpose for which they were designed.

"Combining them for greater effect can increase the explosion size and cause serious damage or injury," he said.

Avoid wearing loose clothing when working with fireworks, Wilkinson advised.

"Sparks or small explosions can be trapped in clothing and cause serious burns or injury," he said.

Those performing their own fireworks display should keep a water source nearby in case of a fire, dud or accident, Wilkinson said.

"Based on some of the bombs going off in my neighborhood lately, eye and ear protection is a good idea," he said.

The Sidney Volunteer Fire Department, in partnership with the city of Sidney will hold a public fireworks show at dusk on July 3 on grounds east of Western Nebraska Community College.

The city will be closed on Friday, July 4. Bus lines will not run on the holiday. Thursday's trash will be collected on Wednesday and Friday's trash will be collected on Thursday.

"Have a safe and happy, and accident free, 4th of July weekend," Wilkinson said.