Fireworks: Preparing to Bring the Boom

The hot summer evenings of late June and early July are like Christmas Eve for kids who can't wait to open their presents. They tide themselves over with the sharp crack of snapdragons and whistling bottle rockets. Kids with room to run chase parachutes launched from mortar tubes.

Like musicians warming up for their performance, they wait for the day when they can unleash their percussive masterpiece upon the skies of St. Charles County.

The cul-de-sac firework party has become a widespread family tradition, and neighbors pooling their money to really put on a show can easily spend $500-$1,000 to celebrate the USA's birthday. With the "wow factor" of retail fireworks getting better every year, many residents of St. Charles County can enjoy exciting firework shows from the comfort of their front lawn when Fourth of July rolls around in just a few short days.

Firework fun does come with safety risks. Jeff Smith, Director of St. Charles County 911 Dispatch, says last year there were at least 14 emergency calls for fireworks-related accidents.

Ten of those calls were fires in outdoor fields, trash bins, and one vehicle. Fortunately there weren't any house fires caused by fireworks.

However, at least two reports of property damage were fireworks related, and Smith says two 911 calls were for people who were injured by fireworks.

• Avoid shooting fireworks during long stretches of dry weather when there's a risk of outdoor fires
• Thoroughly drench the remains of expended fireworks
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person
• Never hold lit fireworks in your hand
• If possible, find open space away from vehicles and houses to launch fireworks
• Carefully supervise children and teens using fireworks

FIREWORKS ARE ILLEGAL MOST DAYS OF THE YEAR
It's only legal to shoot fireworks on limited days and times, depending on where you live. Most areas also have age restrictions. Here's the rundown:

Cottleville
June 20-July 6
5-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 5-11 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday

Dardenne Prairie
July 2-5, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
15 years old and under must have adult supervision

Lake Saint Louis
July 3-4, noon to 10:30 p.m.
17 years old and under must have adult supervision to discharge fireworks that do not contain a stick or fin

New Melle
June 28-July 6, noon to 11 p.m.
15 years old and under must have adult supervision

O'Fallon
July 3-4, noon to 11 p.m.
16 years old and under must be supervised by adult 21 or older

St. Charles City
July 3-4, noon to 11 p.m.
18 years old and under must have adult supervision for non-rocket, non-missile, or aerial fireworks that do not contain a stick or fin

St. Peters
Fireworks are not legal in the City of St. Peters at any time

Unincorporated St. Charles County
July 2-5, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
15 years old and under must have adult supervision

Weldon Spring
July 2-6, noon to 11 p.m.
15 years old and under must have adult supervision

Wentzville
July 3-4, noon to 11 p.m.
16 years old and under must be supervised by adult 21 or older

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