On June 1^st, it becomes legal in Iowa for vendors with a permanent structure to sell fireworks that are more than just the traditional sparklers, snakes and caps. Vendors with temporary structures, such as tents, may sell their wares beginning June 13^th.  In both cases, sales are permitted through July 8^th. Sales will also be permitted December 10^th through January 3rd. Cities may ban fireworks or limit their use, but they cannot ban the sale of the devices.

Fireworks cannot be purchased by anyone under the age of 18. The bill allowing the sales was signed by Governor Branstad. It was opposed by the Iowa Firefighter’s Association, Iowa Nurses Association and others, over fear injuries would increase dramatically. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Fireworks were involved in an estimated 10,500 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments during 2014.

The American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) is the voice of the fireworks industry and promotes safety when using legal fireworks. Jeffrey Weichman, from Corning, is a professional Pyrotechnician who has been shooting fireworks for a company out of Yarmouth, Iowa, since 1993. Weichman says there are many ways you and your family can celebrate safely. The first is to keep fireworks away from buildings and people.

Weichman says there are two different classifications of fireworks, with serious consequences for using the wrong kind. 1.4g is legal in Iowa. 1.3g is professional grade, the use or possession of which is a federal offense.

The consequences for using 1.3g fireworks will most likely result in prison time and a hefty fine. The consequences for mishandling any fireworks device can be even higher, like the loss of a finger or your sight.

He says if you light a firework and it’s a “dud,” don’t approach it, don’t try to relight it. Let it sit for as much as 20 minutes, then douse it with water and dispose of safely. An ABC-type fire extinguisher that uses dry chemicals, won’t work. Also, don’t dispose of fireworks, used or unused, by throwing in a lake or stream, because they contain chemicals that can poison the water and kill fish. Weichman offers some other safety tips for lighting fireworks: Read the directions on the box; Never lean over the fireworks when lighting or handling them; Keep them at arms length and, wear natural fiber clothing when handling fireworks.

A sparkler, according to Weichman, burns around 1,250 degrees. An artillery shell star fireworks falling from the sky can burn up to 3,000 degrees. You can find more safety tips at http://www.americanpyro.com/, or on Facebook by searching for High Flying Colors pyrotechnics.