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Fireworks sales kick off today

By Caroline Trowbridge - | Jul 2, 2003

The skies over Tonganoxie will light up this week — but not legally until Thursday.

Although the sale of fireworks began in the city today, local residents may not set them off until 8 a.m. Thursday.

“You can shoot them off on private property from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 3 and 4,” said Shane Krull, city administrator.

Police will patrol neighborhoods to ensure the city ordinances on fireworks are being followed.

“They patrol, of course, and will respond to inquiries made,” Krull said.

While setting off fireworks is legal only on Thursday and Friday, people can begin purchasing them today. Sale of fireworks is legal from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. today, Thursday and Friday. The city has issued permits for three fireworks booths in Tonganoxie, Krull said.

While local residents are enjoying the nation’s birthday with fireworks, the Kansas Safe Kids Coalition reminds parents and children to use fireworks safely.

Last year, 45 percent of the 191 Kansans injured by fireworks were children age 12 and under, according to the coalition. Sparklers, while often considered the safest type of fireworks, joined firecrackers, bottle rockets, and roman candles/shooting type as fireworks causing the bulk of the reported injuries.

“Fireworks can be the best part of a Fourth of July celebration for kids, yet kids do not comprehend the dangers associated with handling them,” said Jan Stegelman, coordinator of Kansas Safe Kids. “Each year kids are injured by fireworks that ended up in the wrong hands.

“The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to watch them at a community celebration where professionals handle them.”