New signs around Cedar Rapids warn people looking to shoot off fireworks

Cedar Rapids, Iowa – With the July 4th fireworks just over two weeks away, stores and tents are beginning to pop up throughout Eastern Iowa.

Firefighters from Cedar Rapids stated that it can be difficult to determine whether Iowan cities have legal fireworks usage restrictions. For this reason, the city was implementing a new strategy to inform the public that while it is lawful to purchase fireworks, it is unlawful to set them off.

For the first time, Jessica McIntosh is working at the Iowa Fireworks Company tent located on First Avenue in Cedar Rapids. She claimed that it was a means for her to spread the passion of pyrotechnics among people in her family.

“My husband loves the big stuff whereas I love the smaller things, the fountains and the novelty items for the children,” said McIntosh.

However, McIntosh is a rural resident. There is an entirely other set of regulations within Cedar Rapids’ municipal boundaries. Only sparklers, snaps, caps, and snakes are permitted throughout the city. She said that she could see why the limitations were necessary.

“It’s very very unsafe to light them near any home,” she said. “We’ve heard some stories, people, customers have come in and kind of gave us stories and things. Just be careful.”

More than 800 calls pertaining to fireworks were made to Cedar Rapids Fire and Police last year. That comprises multiple grass fires and two house fires. Also, the city issued 19 citations.

“We’re too densely populated,” said Cedar Rapids Fire Marshal Steve Mast. “Our neighbors are too close together to allow the safe discharge of fireworks.”

Mast is aware that although it is allowed to purchase them, utilizing them outside of the city may cause confusion for certain individuals. According to him, the state authorized the selling of fireworks but gave local governments the authority to control where they can be set off. This is the reason the city posted signs describing the laws all over the place.

“Trying to help solve that confusion that happens when you can buy something but can’t use it,” said Mast. When someone was purchasing pyrotechnics, McIntosh and her family were also informing others about it. “Be very safe, make sure you know where you are supposed to, make sure you know it’s appropriate,” she said.