Not rocket science: The basics of fireworks
Photo
Damien McClatchey, 12, makes his selection of fireworks at the American Pride Fireworks stand at the Rock County Job Center parking lot on Center Ave.
JANESVILLE — “Ummm, man like fire,” primitive man said.
“Ummm, gunpowder useful,” his ancestor said several thousand years later.
“Ummm, seems like a good idea to light explosive devices in my backyard, causing burning materials to rain down on my home and those of my neighbors,” modern man says, centuries later.
Modern humans certainly communicate better, but that doesn’t mean they’re any wiser.
We’re talking about fireworks, the magical combination of fire, explosive powder and other fascinating chemicals.
Here’s what you need to know to keep your Fourth of July magical, safe and fun:
Q: What’s legal?
A: Sparklers, stationary cones and fountains, toy snakes, smoke bombs, caps, noisemakers, confetti poppers and anything with less than one-quarter gram of explosive.
Not to worry, Joe and Jane Consumer, you won’t have to read fireworks labels. Stick to reputable stands and stores, and you’ll be fine.
Q: How do I know who’s reputable?
A: Most municipalities require fireworks vendors to be inspected by the local fire department.
Q: What’s not legal?
A: Basically, anything that leaves the ground and/or makes a loud report is illegal.
Q: Examples, please:
A: Firecrackers, wheels, torpedoes, bottle rockets, Roman candles, aerial salutes, M-80s and quarter sticks all are illegal.
Q: Don’t most people know when they have illegal fireworks?
A: “Absolutely,” said Sgt. Brian Donohoue of the Janesville Police Department.
It’s not like people set off M-80s in their front yard where all the neighbors can see.
Q: What about those permits you can buy at the stands?
A: Sorry, doesn’t work anymore. Stands used to sell “memberships” to fireworks organizations. Under the “oversight” of the fireworks organization, buyers could get what they wanted.
Now, only cities, towns and villages can issue permits. Fireworks purchased using such a permit can only be used in the municipality where they were issued.
Q: Can my friend from Illinois come to Wisconsin and buy fireworks that are illegal in Wisconsin but not in Illinois?
A: Nope, sorry, that doesn’t work any more, either. In 2007, Wisconsin’s fireworks laws were changed.
Nonresidents need a permit to buy fireworks in person. Just like residents, they have to get those permits from city, village or town officials.
Now, nonresidents without a permit can order fireworks from Wisconsin wholesalers for out-of-state delivery. The fireworks must be shipped through official means and an approved carrier.
Q: Soooo … where are people getting these illegal fireworks? Not that I need to know for personal reasons or anything.
A: Local officials said that the majority of fireworks vendors and stands are good about following the rules. But there’s a bad apple—a dud dealer—in every bunch. Some people travel out of state for fireworks, or have friends and relations bring the goods to them.
Q: I’m a responsible adult, why can’t I light powerful explosives in my own backyard?
A: Well, it is illegal. Hard to argue with that.
And every year, responsible adults injure themselves and other people with fireworks. They also burn down houses.
Examples from 2007:
-- Fireworks caused a serious house fire on North Chatham Street, Janesville.
At the time, fire Capt. Bill Ruchi said, “We usually have at least one fire, if not more, that’s caused by improper handling of fireworks.”
-- The Beloit Fire Department responded to six significant fires caused by fireworks, said Chief Bradley J. Liggett.
-- A 14-year-old Beloit girl blew her hand off with an illegal firework.
-- A 29-year-old Milton man was transported to University Hospital for injuries to his hands, legs and groin after using illegal fireworks. A groin injury—now there’s an object lesson.
-- A 25-year-old Janesville man was taken to urgent care for injuries to his arms and left leg in the same incident.
And in 2004 ... an exploding toilet injured a 19-year-old Janesville woman after she threw an M-80 firecracker into the bowl.
The young woman told police she had lit the M-80 inside the home because “she just wanted to see what would happen,” the police report said.
The explosion amputated the tip of her middle finger and injured the pad of her left thumb. “Porcelain shrapnel” injured her foot.
Q: Well, I’m too smart to hurt myself. Got any other reasons?
A: The fine for possessing illegal fireworks is $249 for adults and $100 for children. The fine for supplying illegal fireworks to a child can result in a fine of up to $5,000.
Now let’s put on our angry taxpayer hats.
Last year, the Janesville police responded to 305 fireworks complaints, said Deputy Chief David Moore.
In previous years, they’ve responded to as many as 468.
Last year, Moore assigned four additional officers to handle those complaints; this year, even more will be assigned.
It’s no good telling officers not to respond—the public has demanded it, and there are property damage and personnel safety issues.
Jul 1, 2008 at 12:47 a.m.
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I don't care if you light fireworks. But, our idiot neighbors like to light them off over MY yard. Every year, I spend the next day picking up their fireworks garbage out of my yard. People can have fun (fireworks) and still be respectful.
Jun 30, 2008 at 11:36 a.m.
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JohnDoe, I think some people who live near popular hunting grounds might take issue with your comparison, but I will grant you that it is annoying when the fireworks are late at night on multiple nights throughout the month. I should have clarified that I think permits should be issued for the night of the 4th ONLY. Perhaps they could be issued for plus-or-minus a couple nights if they are at a reasonable hour, perhaps before 11PM. I don't see anything wrong with a bunch of fireworks late into the night on the 4th, but I agree with you that it is very annoying when it's weeks before and after when people are trying to sleep.
Garyprimer, I assume that's a reference to Dr. Strangelove... sorry I don't know the reference. I know it's a movie or book or something, but beyond that I have no idea what it's about. Maybe I should rent it one of these days...
Jun 29, 2008 at 7:58 p.m.
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"I don't see how this differs from all the hunting licenses given out every year,"
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Did you ever stop to think that the hunters do not (for the most part) shoot in the middle of the night (all night long) and annoy the neighbors night after night?
Jun 29, 2008 at 7:04 p.m.
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You should change your name to ktstrangelove. :-)
Jun 29, 2008 at 3:16 p.m.
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garyprimer, good point about DHS... but seeing as I work in the nuclear industry and have checked out "The Atomic Bomb Movie" from Hedberg library on multiple occasions, I'm sure the FBI already has a file on me (not sure about DHS though). It's slightly off-topic, but I would recommend that movie if anyone wants to see some REAL fireworks. The underwater shot Baker was my favorite.
Jun 29, 2008 at 11:11 a.m.
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You guys should stop and think before you start using the word b-o-m-b in your logs. DHS may be acessing your personal info and calling on you early some morning. Watch out for people posing as door-to-door encyclopedia salesmen. ;-)
Jun 29, 2008 at 9:06 a.m.
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So are all these laws state-wide, or just in city-limits? I can't afford fireworks this year anyway due to some flood damage, but a couple years ago I got some aerials. I knew they were illegal in the city, but I honestely didn't know if they were illegal in the country. I still don't.
On another note, does anybody else think they should actually issue firework permits to private citizens? They could charge a small fee and have a firework safety class so maybe some idiotic things could be prevented (lighting an M-80 indoors just to see what would happen?!?). I don't see how this differs from all the hunting licenses given out every year, despite the occasional hunting accident.
kiowamohican, I agree. I've never actually heard a dry-ice bomb, but I've heard an LN2 bomb which is basically the same thing. Very impressive.
Jun 29, 2008 at 12:01 a.m.
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I always preferred making dry ice bombs myself. No gun powder, no fire, good long delay to go off, and MUCH louder then any traditional explosive.
Jun 28, 2008 at 2:39 p.m.
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You play with fire, you're gonna get burned. Unfortunately, some people have to learn the hard way.
Jun 28, 2008 at 1:21 p.m.
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Not a secret to the Gazette. It was in the printed version Sat. morning in the sports section. However they did not mention the local establishments name.
Jun 28, 2008 at 12:31 p.m.
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I surprise its not a big thing in the paper unless they don't know either. Maybe its suppose to be hush hush but I guess I'll spill it Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson are in town for the golf outing in janesville and they were at Spirts bar on friday.
Jun 28, 2008 at 12:28 p.m.
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I don't mind the little whirlies and poppers so much (except when the litter is in front of our house, or the poppers are being thrown off a porch every night for weeks on end, as happened a couple of years ago). I do mind when I look on our rental property and find rockets or flaming debris lands on our tenants' cars (which happened last year). It's very disturbing to think that one of our buildings could burn down because of the carelessness of neighbors looking for a thrill and feeling that the law doesn't apply to them.
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If you have a ginormous back yard and you're well away from the neighbors, I don't care, go ahead. But if you live on a small lot in the city you're just being a jerk (especially so for the folks who do 'em at 1 am).
Jun 28, 2008 at 12:22 p.m.
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Firecrackers are fun for kids, so I will waste my money on them. Its only once a year. I thought it was funny we had bike cops in our neighborhood last night and yes tickets were handed out, but still the kids did enjoy them of all ages. So just leting my neighbors know we will still be doing them all the way until the fourth!
Jun 28, 2008 at 7:33 a.m.
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I'm with tinkerb45. After a $785 ticket for fireworks, it's not worth it.
Jun 28, 2008 at 7:17 a.m.
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I'd rather light a twenty dollar bill on fire than spend it on fireworks.
Jun 28, 2008 at 3:40 a.m.
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Moral of the story:
Buy yourself a police scanner, and DON'T GET CAUGHT!
Jun 28, 2008 at 2:48 a.m.
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305 LAST YEAR 2006 468 THE YEAR BEFORE 2005, How many arrests did they make in 2007? We have put on our little show for about 15 years and now 5 or 6 people around the block we all take part and put on about A 4 hour show thats free and we always clean up after everything!!!!! Now I'm gonna tell ya where we are at so you can screw wituh us!!!!! Go west past Parker about 4 miles, Then turn right and go about 6 miles to 14 then take A left and go about 8 miles and then we can discuse whats going on!
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