Saturday is first day for selling fireworks locally
Published 9:58 pm Monday, June 22, 2009
Firework vendors will have a seven-day period to sell products in accordance to city code for Bonney Lake and Sumner.
In Bonney Lake, vendors can sell fireworks beginning at noon Saturday until 11 p.m. July 4. Sale hours are 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day. No fireworks may be sold between 11 p.m. and 9 a.m.
Fireworks can be discharged from 9 to 10 a.m. July 3 and 5, and 9 p.m. to midnight on July 4. Fireworks can not be discharged on city property that is not a park without written permission of the city.
Persons violating the city code concerning fireworks will be charged with a misdemeanor can be jailed up to 90 days and fined up to $1,000.
In Sumner, fireworks can be discharged from noon Sunday through 11 p.m. July 5, Communications Director Carman Palmer said.
Palmer said a person can only discharge between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. during the alloted dates, and fireworks may not be discharge on public property which includes parks and streets.
Washington State Patrol reported between 2004 through 2008
there were 4,811 fireworks related emergency incidents reported to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
WSP reported nearly 36 percent of the injuries reported were to children 14 and under.
Safety tips provided by the National Council of Fireworks Safety are:
• always read and follow label directions.
• have an adult present.
• buy from reliable sellers.
• use outdoors only.
• always have water handy (a garden hose and a bucket).
• never experiment or make your own fireworks.
• light only one firework at a time.
• never re-light a “dud” firework (wait 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water).
• never give fireworks to small children.
• if necessary, store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
• dispose of fireworks properly by soaking them in water and then disposing of them in your trashcan.
• never throw or point fireworks at other people.
• never carry fireworks in your pocket.
• never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.
• the shooter should always wear eye protection and never have any part of the body over the firework.
• stay away from illegal explosives.
