Fourth of July: Washington Cty., N. Hudson Authorities Urge Safety, Lawfulness

Local authorities in Minnesota and Wisconsin have issued statements about how to stay safe and within the law on the Fourth of July. 

IN MINNESOTA
Here is Washington County Attorney Pete Orput's annual warningabout the dangers of fireworks during the Independence Day holiday:

Every year thousands of kids in Minnesota get burned, injured or accidentally start fires due to playing with fireworks. No question about it- fireworks are fun and hold huge attractions for kids and adults alike. They are, mostly, illegal in Minnesota, however. Sparklers and other items that don’t explode and don’t fly in the air are legal in Minnesota but, unfortunately, they aren’t the fun fireworks. Here is the approved list of fireworks that are legal in Minnesota:


Sparklers, ground spinners, wheels, cone fountains, small illuminating torches, snakes, glow worms, smoke devices and party poppers . M.S.§624.20.


Of course, many other states have less safety conscious laws that legally allow one to purchase and set off exploding firecrackers, bottle rockets and Roman candles, etc., but not Minnesota. In fact, one can easily purchase such fireworks in Wisconsin but they are still illegal to possess or use in Minnesota. The penalty for using illegal fireworks is a misdemeanor in Minnesota calling for a fine of up to $1000 and/ or 90 days in jail. In addition, the law allows law enforcement officers to seize all illegal fireworks as well.


If your family or children ask about using fireworks, even the less fun ones sold in Minnesota, please make time to supervise them so that they don’t get hurt or start a fire in the brush and leaves. The best option for enjoying fireworks and celebrating our Independence day as well as our state’s Civil War sesquicentennial, please consider attending one of the many professionally run fireworks displays in Washington County. Woodbury, Cottage Grove, Stillwater, Afton, Oakdale, Hastings and Hudson all have annual fireworks displays on the fourth of July. These are free and always spectacular and safe. 


Orput stated, “In 2010, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 8,600 people for fireworks related injuries. Our children are our most important resource. Let’s not fritter that resource away by allowing the careless use of dangerous illegal fireworks.”


IN WISCONSIN
The North Hudson Police Department posted this statement about fireworks on the department's Facebook page: 


FIREWORKS - WHAT'S LEGAL IN WI?: NHPD wanted to let our residence know what the "Rule of Thumb" is regarding the legality of "Fireworks" - IF IT GOES UP IN THE AIR AND/OR EXPLODES - IT IS ILLEGAL IN WI!


The WI Department of Justice prints an advisory every year to inform the public about the restrictions on Fireworks and this year we found a nice statement on what IS legal in WI:


"State law allows the sale, possession and use, without a permit, of sparklers not exceeding 36 inches in length, stationary cones and fountains, toy snakes, smoke bombs, caps, noisemakers, confetti poppers with less than ¼ grain of explosive mixture, and novelty devices that spin or move on the ground. Wis. Stat. § 167.10(1). There is no age restriction on sale, possession or use of these devices and the statute does not classify them as fireworks."