Fireworks went on sale today in Kansas City, Kansas, where they may be discharged July 2, 3 and 4.
This year there are 35 fireworks stand locations in Kansas City, Kansas, compared to 34 last year, according to Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Marshal John Droppelmann. The figure does not include Bonner Springs and Edwardsville.
The fireworks stands can be open only from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 29 through July 4, according to Droppelmann.
The hours fireworks can be discharged are 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 2, 3 and 4 in Kansas City, Kansas, Droppelmann, also a deputy chief, said.
He emphasized safety with fireworks this year, and he has offered a number of safety tips (seen below) for residents.
What’s new this year, according to national news stories, is there could be a shortage of some fireworks items, and also, the price might be higher on some items.
Number of fireworks injuries increased last year at area hospital
The number of fireworks-related injuries increased in July 2020, according to the Burnett Burn Center at the University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, Kansas.
Dr. Dhaval Bhavsar, medical director of the burn unit, said at the Tuesday morning media update that there were 42 injuries seen at the hospital last July 4, a record. With COVID-19 and many events canceled last year, there were more people celebrating with fireworks at home, according to Dr. Bhavsar.
He advised people not to try to re-light a firecracker or a firework that didn’t go off. That is how many people are injured, as it could go off unexpectedly, he said. Also discussed during the update were sparklers, which can be more dangerous than they appear because they can reach a temperature of about 1800 degrees, and can cause serious and deep burns quickly. Also, sparklers can be placed in a bucket of water after discharging to cool them off.
Dr. Bhavsar also advised people not to combine alcohol and fireworks. Sometimes people are not careful after having a few drinks.
Dr. Bhavsar recommended that people go to one of the many professional fireworks displays that are being held throughout the metropolitan area.
Fireworks displays
Many fireworks displays are scheduled throughout the metropolitan Kansas City area.
Two that have been announced in Wyandotte County include the Bonner Blast and the Pierson Park fireworks display.
Bonner Blast
Thursday, July 1 – The Bonner Blast will be held in the evening at Kelly Murphy Park, 129 Elm, in downtown Bonner Springs, Kansas. A City Band concert will take place at 8:30 p.m., followed by an ice cream social. Around 9:45 p.m., fireworks will begin. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/kelly-murphy-park/bonner-blast-2021/404822990643343/.
Fireworks at Pierson Park
Saturday, July 3 – The Turner Recreation Commission is sponsoring Fireworks in the Park at 9:45 p.m. Saturday, July 3, at Pierson Park, 1800 S. 55th St., Kansas City, Kansas, weather permitting. The public event is free. Public parking will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, and once parking is filled, entrances to the park will be closed. Parking is not allowed on 55th Street. Part of the park will not be available to the public for safety reasons. For more information, visit https://www.turnerrecreation.org/departments/fireworks.
Saturday, July 3 – The Kansas City Monarchs announced Tuesday evening that it would have post-game fireworks at the Saturday, July 3, baseball game at Legends Field, Kansas City, Kansas. The game begins at 7 p.m. The team will wear patriotic-themed jerseys to be auctioned off later. For details, visit https://www.facebook.com/kcmonarchsbaseball/photos/a.10153170171730338/10165633178445338/.
Various other fireworks displays are scheduled around the metropolitan area.
One will be after the Kansas City Royals game at 7:10 p.m. Friday, July 2, weather-permitting. A pre-game ceremony includes a Blue Angels flyover.
Another fireworks display will take place July 3 at the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri. In conjunction with a Stars and Stripes Picnic, a fireworks display will take place at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 3, on the grounds of the memorial. The Navy parachute team, The Leap Frogs, will parachute into the event, and the Navy Band Great Lakes will perform. Fireworks will begin after dusk and will last about 20 minutes. This event is free to the public. For more information, visit https://www.theworldwar.org/visit/starsandstripes.
Fireworks safety tips from the fire marshal
Every year, the Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department extinguishes at least one house fire caused by people putting fireworks debris in a trash bag and placing it inside their garage or against their home, Fire Marshal Droppelmann stated.
He asked residents to respect their neighbors and clean up the debris but leave it curbside in case any hot embers reignite the trash inside the bag or trash can.
Be extremely careful when driving through streets and neighborhoods from July 2nd through July 4th, he stated. Youths, and even adults are easily distracted while igniting and watching fireworks and may wander out from between parked cars, he said.
KCK municipal ordinances
• It is illegal to shoot fireworks from, on, or under a vehicle whether it is moving or parked.
• It is illegal to throw or place any fireworks in any gathering of persons.
• It is illegal to shoot fireworks on any public roadway, alley, or sidewalk; within 150 feet of a fireworks stand, within 100 feet of a gas station, or within 1,000 feet of a hospital or home for the aged.
• It is illegal to ignite or discharge any fireworks in any building.
• Illegal fireworks include: bottle rockets, missile-type rockets (with guidance fins) and sky lanterns.
• Fireworks may only be discharged from July 2nd to July 4th between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 p.m.
Droppelmann stated that residents are encouraged to report any illegal fireworks by:
• Anonymously calling the arson hot line at 913-573-5555.
• Calling 911.
• Calling the fire marshal’s office at 913-573-5938.