The 411 on fireworks
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What fireworks are legal?
* In Lincoln:
Pretty much anything that doesn’t go BANG!, POP! or BOOM!
Related Media
Early fireworks sales
Fireworks sales are well under way in Hickman and other cities surrounding Lincoln. (Anthony Roberts / JournalStar.com)...
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Permissible fireworks in Lincoln: sparklers, Vesuvius fountains, spray fountains, torches, color fire cones, color wheels and star and comet-type aerial shells without noisy explosive charge.
* In Lancaster County:
Fireworks regulations aren’t as strict as in Lincoln. If it’s legal in Nebraska, it’s legal in Lancaster County, outside of Lincoln, Bennet, Hickman and Waverly, which have city-specific regulations.
Because rules are different from city to city and county to county, the best way to be sure what you’re buying is legal where you live is to buy it in the county or city where you’ll be firing it off, said Ray Nance, a public information officer for the Nebraska State Fire Marshal.
“That’s the easiest way for people to stay out of trouble,” he said.
On the Web
A lengthy list of fireworks that are legal to use in Nebraska this year can be found at www.sfm.state.ne.us/regulations/pdf/title157-ch8.pdf
When can you buy and use fireworks?
* In Lincoln:
You can only buy, sell and use fireworks in the city from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday and 8 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Friday.
* In Lancaster County:
Fireworks use is legal all year in the county. But, said Sgt. Andy Stebbing of the Lancaster County Sheriff’s office, if you’re shooting off fireworks at 1 a.m. and your neighbors call in and complain, you’ll be asked to stop and possibly cited.
“We respond to 10 to 15 fireworks-related calls each year throughout the county around the Fourth of July,” Stebbing said. “And most of those are for disturbing the peace late at night.”
What kind of fine could I face for violating fireworks regulations?
Possession or use of fireworks that are illegal in Nebraska will result in a $50 fine, plus court fees. And your fireworks will be confiscated. The Nebraska State Fire Marshal had already issued 17 citations and confiscated several hundred dollars worth of illegal fireworks earlier this week, said Ray Nance, public information officer.
If you’re also violating municipal ordinances, such as disturbing the peace, you could be charged with a misdemeanor and face a fine anywhere from $25 to $500.
A few other Lincoln ordinances to know about:
* The sale of fireworks to anyone under age 18 is illegal. It’s also illegal for anyone under 18 to discharge fireworks except under supervision of someone 18 or older.
* It’s illegal to fire or launch fireworks from a motor vehicle.
Police cracking down
The Lincoln Police Department is taking a hardline approach to illegal fireworks use this week, cracking down on any Lincolnites who like their entertainment big and noisy or late at night.
If you’re not following municipal fireworks ordinances and state laws, you’re more likely than ever to get cited this year.
“This year, we’re going to try to cite more people who are violating the law,” said Lincoln Police Chief Tom Casady. “We’re going to be picking up more kids and taking them home to their mom and dad and having a talk with them.”
But blowing up illegal fireworks is a lot like illegally downloading music: Sure, it’s illegal, but so many people are breaking the law that it might not seem like that big a deal.
“Sometimes, you feel like it’s a lost cause,” Casady said of enforcing fireworks regulations. But the department wants to see if this extreme approach will have an effect.
Complaints to police
In 2007, Lincoln police officers took more than 200 fireworks-related calls on July 3 and 4, in addition to more than 700 other calls for service.
Here’s a more detailed list of last year’s fireworks-related complaints:
Date Number of complaints
June 28, 2007 29
June 29, 2007 38
June 30, 2007 63
July 1, 2007 81
July 2, 2007 80
July 3, 2007 105
July 4, 2007 97
July 5, 2007 79
— Micah Mertes
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get a life wrote on July 2, 2008 4:30 am:
Move to Arizona wrote on July 2, 2008 9:54 am:
legality wrote on July 2, 2008 10:42 am:
Outside the Box wrote on July 2, 2008 11:32 am:
Most of you are correct, the LPD has better things to do than chasing bottle rockets. However instead of blaming them for enforcing laws (and therefore, keeping the public safe) work to change the laws.
Also, some common courtesy would be nice. Have your fun, but shut it down by 12:30 or 1. Not everybody gets to sleep in Saturday morning. "
Tom Casady wrote on July 2, 2008 12:41 pm:
Just keep in mind that we don't make these laws, your elected representatives do. Despite the comments here, we catch it even more from those who criticize us for a lack of enthusiasm in enforcement. Those who don't like Lincoln's restrictive fireworks ordinance ought to try to get it changed, instead of violating it and then complaining when the police chief says we just might write some more tickets this year. Yes, we've got a lot better things to do--that's why it would be nice if people would obey the law instead of putting the police department in this ridiculous darned-if-you-do/darned-if-you-don't position. "
New Baby wrote on July 3, 2008 9:01 am:
I think the laws surrounding lighting off firworks are appropriate and fair. As a reminder, the 4th of July wasn't established so people could "blow stuff up", it just so happens to be a result of those who fought and died for our freedom. Have some respect and courtesy towards your neighbors, they may have a new baby who is learning to sleep through the night. And, just for the record, I did not call the police, I wanted to. I think it was much more effective that I stepped out onto my front porch and politely asked my neighbor to stop blowing-stuff-up until tomorrow. Have a happy and safe 4th of July!! "
JG wrote on July 4, 2008 10:42 am:
JB wrote on July 4, 2008 3:39 pm: