New Iowa law blocks fireworks bans on July 3, 4 and New Year’s Eve
A new state law guarantees that all Iowans are allowed to light off fireworks on July 3, 4 and New Year’s Eve
A new state law guarantees that all Iowans are allowed to light off fireworks on July 3, 4 and New Year’s Eve
A new state law guarantees that all Iowans are allowed to light off fireworks on July 3, 4 and New Year’s Eve
A new state law prevents Iowa cities and counties from banning fireworks on July 3, July 4, and New Year’s Eve.
Currently, fireworks are legal across Iowa from June 1 to July 8 and Dec. 3 through the end of the year, but local governments have still been able to restrict or ban their use. That changes under legislation just signed into law by Gov. Kim Reynolds.
Cities and counties can no longer block firework use on those three specific dates, giving Iowans the right to light fireworks no matter where they live.
Justin Bartlett, the managing partner of Crossroads Fireworks, hopes the change will lead to a boom in business. His business is expanding to Des Moines in June.
Bartlett said the change opens up a big opportunity in cities that have had strict bans, like Des Moines.
“In Des Moines alone, there's about a half million people who have been under a complete ban for the last several years, who now are going to have a couple of days they can use fireworks,” he said. "Local control is still in place the rest of the year. But, regardless of where you live, now you're able to use fireworks for at least a couple of days."
But some local fire officials are concerned about the impact.
Jim Clark, chief of the Johnston-Grimes Fire Department, said some fireworks bans were originally put in place because residents asked for them.
“You have veterans that have PTSD, and the noise could trigger an episode for them,” Clark said. “A lot of people with pets that don't like the loud noises.”
He said those concerns led Johnston to ban fireworks. Grimes allows them only on certain days. Clark said he's seen a difference in outcomes between the two cities.
“We've had more fires in Grimes, because they've allowed them, than we've had in Johnston,” he said. “So, we can kind of extrapolate that there may be more fires in communities that have not allowed them."
He said, with more people expected to light off fireworks, there also may be an uptick in injuries. He wants people to make sure they're handling fireworks safely.
“We want to make sure that children are not the ones lighting the fireworks, that it's adults. We want to make sure that people have a bucket of water handy," Clark said. "We want people to be cautious, read the directions, handle them safely. Wear safety glasses if they're the one lighting them off in case there's an explosion, they don't lose an eye."
As Clark prepares for potentially more emergency calls, Bartlett is preparing for more customer traffic.
“I think there would be a lot of people who are looking for fireworks who don’t have a place they’re used to buying from, who will be looking and hopefully find us,” Bartlett said.
The new law goes into effect on July 1.
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