According to city ordinance, the use of fireworks is limited to specific days and times through the year including Independence Day. Consumer-grade fireworks can be set off starting June 29th through July 4th from 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m.
The Grand Rapids Police and Fire Department are urging individuals to follow regulations. The ordinance carries a civil fine of $1,000 for each violation.
Grand Rapids Fire Lieutenant Roy LaGrone said the fire department wants to make sure everybody is safe this year.
“Hundreds of people a year are injured by fireworks and our goal every year is to promote firework safety to ensure that not a single family in Grand Rapids suffers the pain associated with a severe firework injury,” he said.
LaGrone said it’s never recommended that children light fireworks, including sparklers. He adds people should keep a bucket of water or a hose nearby in case of an emergency, and to only light fireworks on a flat surface and never while holding the firework.
"I just want to make sure [the public] enjoys themselves, our former fire marshall has a saying that the best way to avoid a firework accident is to leave the fireworks to the professionals," he said.
The Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort will host a fireworks show downtown at Ah-Nab-Awen Park Saturday, July 1 at 10:30 p.m. in celebration of Independence Day.
