Independence Day is Saturday, so it’s time to remind the residents of Kansas City, Mo., that fireworks are prohibited in city limits. City Ordinance 26-3309.1 states, “Except as hereinafter provided, it shall be unlawful for any person to possess, keep, offer for sale, sell at retail, use or explode any fireworks in the city.”
The exception stated in that code is for permitted, professional, public displays, of which there will be several for you to enjoy. The Kansas City Star has rounded them up from all over the metro here: http://www.kansascity.com/700/story/1298998.html
There is a very good reason the city does not allow the personal use of these explosives. Within the last couple of weeks, KCPD already has responded to two fireworks casualties. One involved a young adult who lost at least one finger. In the other, an adult taped several powerful explosives together and threw them into the air while they were lit. They came apart, and one fell down and hit an 8-year-old child in the face. The boy may lose sight in one eye, and his ear drum burst, which could leave him with permanent hearing loss. He also will likely have scarring from the burns.
In 2008, the Kansas City Fire Department reports that it responded to 11 fireworks-related incidents. Ten of them were between June 29 and July 9. One caused $400,000 in damage. Several people lost $25,000 worth of property from fires caused by fireworks. These happened in all kinds of areas – occupied and vacant homes and apartments, detached garages and in open spaces.
Even seemingly innocent things like sparklers can have huge consequences. They burn at 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, which is about six times as hot as the temperature needed to boil water. That can cause serious third-degree burns. The National Fire Protection Association has more information about the dangers of fireworks here: http://www.nfpa.org/newsReleaseDetails.asp?categoryid=488&itemId=44078
Police called to fireworks complaints this weekend will confiscate fireworks, and our Bomb and Arson Unit will destroy them.
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