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May 31, 2023

Temporary fireworks vendors to open Tuesday

Jun 9, 2023 PHOTOSBY LANA BRADSTREAMFireworks rest on shelves, waiting for store

Jun 9, 2023

PHOTOSBY LANA BRADSTREAMFireworks rest on shelves, waiting for store patrons to pick them up and light them off. However, even though Marshalltown residents can buy fireworks in permanent structures like Menards, Theisen's and Walmart, they cannot set them off within city limits at any time. On Tuesday, temporary tents containing fireworks will be open for sales.

The fireworks season has arrived, and at least seven locations are permitted to sell in Marshalltown.

Marshalltown Fire Chief David Rierson said, depending on the type of vendor, there will be different timeframes in which they can sell. For permanent structures — Menards, Theisen's and Walmart — the fireworks season began June 1 and lasts until July 8. For temporary structures – Bellino, Castle and Jake's — the season begins Tuesday and also lasts until July 8. He is expecting additional vendors to show up, but said they have not yet completed the state licensing process.

Even though fireworks can be sold within city limits, Rierson said he wants people to realize they cannot be used in town because the city has banned discharging fireworks.

"Many people believe that since fireworks are sold in town, they must be legal. That is not the case," he said. "The State of Iowa banned cities from outlawing sales but allowed them to ban their use. The issue for me is that once a firework leaves the ground, the shooter has no control over where it goes or lands. Just because it explodes doesn't mean it's done burning. The other thing is many people make no attempt to clean up the mess the firework remains leave. Lastly, people don't take into consideration their neighbors. Not everyone enjoys fireworks. Veterans with PTSD, as well as animals, have issues with the noise created by exploding fireworks. Our preference would be for residents to attend the city display at the fairgrounds and leave the shooting to the professionals."

Mayor Joel Greer, a native of Spencer — the town where fireworks burned down 100 buildings in 1931 and catalyzed a longtime statewide ban — said the city council has made an ordinance which fines a homeowner where fireworks are discharged. Marshalltown Police Chief Mike Tupper said that ordinance helps his officers when investigating fireworks.

"It's a difficult crime to investigate," Tupper said. "By the time we send an officer out, the people are nowhere to be found. That ordinance gives us the resources to cite the property owner."

Sometimes, however, people will set fireworks off in the middle of the city streets and are gone by the time the police arrive, which adds to the enforcement difficulty

"We get so many complaints," Greer said. "People have dogs, they’re trying to sleep. People are starting fires. There are so many complaints. We need tougher penalties. After the legislature passed the law [making fireworks legal in 2017], fireworks get discharged every night."

Tupper said there have only been two fireworks complaints this month.

"I’m surprised we haven't already picked up more," he said.

Last year, there were 263. Tupper wants residents to be aware it is illegal to set off fireworks in city limits, and the police department will be enforcing the ordinance.

"We are past the education point," he said. "The direction to the officers is to issue citations."

Fireworks safety tips

• Children should not handle fireworks.

• "Sparklers are the first things that come to mind. People think they are safe," he said. "But they burn at 1,800 to 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. That is going to burn easily. Children need to stay away from them. They are dealing with fire and exploding objects."

• Use common sense. Gilchrist said people should not point the fireworks at others, and they should not be used indoors.

• Have water nearby, such as a bucket or a hose, in case of fire.

• Keep a safe distance away from the fireworks.

• Wear eye protection.

"A $2 or $3 pair of safety glasses will save thousands of dollars in medical bills for eye injuries," he said.

• Do not hold on to or throw lit fireworks.

"That is not a good idea," Gilchrist said. "That is how people lose fingers. Also, the wind can catch the firework and blow it back at you, your clothes can catch on fire."

He also applies that tip to black snakes fireworks as well as they are "not fluffy things for people to hold."

Injuries

As an attorney, Greer has represented cases in which people have been injured by fireworks. One of his clients lost an eye. Another had fireworks discharged in a home.

"Being a lawyer, I see this crap," he said.

Jeff Gilchrist, a trauma program supervisor at UnityPoint Health Marshalltown, said every year he sees some fireworks injuries such as burns, eye injuries and soft-tissue damage of the hands and face. As a paramedic and a registered nurse, Gilchrist said unfortunately, he has seen varying levels of injuries.

"There has been an uptick since 2017, about 11 to 31 percent increase," he said.

Gilchrist speculates people are taking a closer look at the rate of injuries because of the increase.

"I can vouch for how dangerous fireworks can be," he said. "Fortunately, we are a Level 4 trauma center, and can handle minor and severe burns. We are trained to deal with burns."

Licensed vendors

These vendors are included on the State Fire Marshal website as licensed to sell fireworks in Marshalltown in 2023:

• Menards: permanent location — 504 Iowa Ave. West;

• Theisen's: permanent — 602 Iowa Ave. W.;

• Walmart: permanent — 2802 S. Center St.;

• Bellino Fireworks: two temporary tent locations — 602 Iowa Ave. W and 802 S. Center St.;

• Castle Fireworks: temporary tent — 2901 S. Center St.;

• Jake's Fireworks: temporary tent — 2802 S. Center St.

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