T-R photo by Sam Stuve The Iowa Fireworks Company stand is going to be open from 1 p.m. to about 9 p.m. and on weekends it will open at 10 a.m

With summer heating up, more and more firework stands are appearing in the Marshalltown area. Seeing firework displays is one of the more popular things to do in the summer. After the Iowa State Legislature passed a bill for the sale of fireworks in 2017, people are looking for more places to obtain fireworks.

Even though the state legalized the sale and setting off of fireworks, some cities — such as Marshalltown — have restrictions on locations from where the pyrotechnics can be launched. Fireworks are prohibited from being launched in city limits but they can be in Marshall County areas that are unincorporated.

The Iowa law regarding fireworks states fireworks can be exploded between June 1 and July 8 between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. with the exception of the Fourth of July, as well as the Saturday and Sunday preceding and following it.

For full laws regarding fireworks, go to https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/727.2.pdf.

In Marshalltown, novelty fireworks such as caps, snakes and sparklers are permitted. If someone is caught setting off illegal fireworks within city limits, they may be charged with a simple misdemeanor and a fine of $250.

Property owners who knowingly allow fireworks to be set off are subject to a $750 fine.

Marshalltown Fire Marshal Josh Warnell, as well as the rest of the Marshalltown Fire Department, have some general firework safety tips that should be followed.

“Always have an adult launch the firework, use it as intended, and have a fire extinguisher on hand,” he said.

Warnell inspects the setup site for the fireworks show at the Central Iowa Fairgrounds each summer and says there is a “fallout radius” of about 400 to 500 feet when they launch the display fireworks, depending on the artillery shell shot.

While consumer fireworks have a much smaller explosion than display ones, Warnell said consumer fireworks are still potentially dangerous.

“They are basically miniature explosive devices,” Warnell said.

Because of this, a fallout radius should be in place so the person launching the fireworks, as well as bystanders, can avoid being injured.

Warnell said knowing the area of where a person is launching the firework from is important so property and vegetation avoid being damaged. The most common cause of injury via firework is the misuse or a malfunction of the firework, which can be avoided by keeping hands safe and following instructions.

The City of Marshalltown has provided some fire safety tips on its website, which includes:

• Never lighting fireworks indoors or on dry grass.

• Always have a bucket nearby and know how to operate a fire extinguisher.

• Don’t wear loose clothing while shooting off fireworks.

• Stand several feet away from lit fireworks, if a firework doesn’t go off put it in water and get rid of it.

• Supervise children around fireworks at all times.

• Read the instruction and warning labels on the firework, if a product doesn’t have these labels, don’t use it.

Warnell said these tips and ordinances are handed out at the firework stands around the city each season.

Jeremiah Terhark, a partner with the Iowa Fireworks Company, said when people purchase a product there are safety sheets handed out as well as information on local ordinances.

In addition to the tips on the safety sheets, Terhark also has some other helpful tips for firework safety.

“Minors are not allowed to purchase the products and an adult must be present at all times. So even things like sparklers really get extremely hot and can be very dangerous for small kids. Make sure that kids aren’t given, even what seems to be small fireworks and left unattended and then also just making sure that they’re backing up an appropriate distance after they light the fireworks. If they are wet, discard the fireworks and not use the product,” he said.

Terhark said if a firework only partially goes off, put the firework in a bucket of water to douse or completely ruin the firework and eliminate the risk of it still firing off.

“If it’s something that went up partially, that’s one of the biggest ways to get hurt is to try to light something that maybe went off part way, but not the whole way.” Terhark said.

Terhark and Warnell emphasized fireworks and alcohol do not mix and people should not drink and shoot off fireworks.

The Iowa Fireworks Company stand is going to be open from 1 p.m. to about 9 p.m. and on weekends it will open at 10 a.m., according to Terhark.

A fireworks tent set to open on Sunday is Castle Fireworks LLC, 2901 S. Center St., will be in operation this summer from Sunday until July 8. Temporary consumer hours are 8 a.m. to midnight on weekdays.

In addition to the Iowa Fireworks Company and Castle Fireworks LLC, more stands will open in Marshalltown this summer, including Bellino Fireworks and Jakes Fireworks.

Bellino Fireworks is also setting up shop at 50 La Frentz Lane. Hours at Bellino Firework stands are from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. but that time varies by location. Bellino also has its own safety tips it provides to customers, which can be found here https://bellinofireworks.com/products/fireworks-safety/.

As of Thursday, there are multiple locations in Marshalltown licensed to sell fireworks this season according to a Iowa Department of Public Safety PDF:

• Bellino Fireworks at 50 La Frentz Lane, 602 Iowa Ave. W. and 802 S. Center St.

• Castle Fireworks LLC, 2901 S. Center St.

• Hy-Vee Food Stores, 802 S. Center St. and 1706 S. Center St.

• Iowa Fireworks Company, 1709 Iowa Ave. E.

• Jakes Fireworks, 2802 S. Center St.

• Ka-Boomer’s, 27 W. Berle Rd.

• Menards, 504 Iowa Ave. W.

• S & W Fireworks, 919 N. Third Ave.

• Theisens, 602 Iowa Ave. W.

• Wal-Mart, 2802 S. Center St.

Contact Sam Stuve at 641-753-6611 or sstuve@timesrepublican.com