Editor's Note: Early last week, the Great Bend Tribune interviewed Battalion Chief John Stettinger at the Great Bend Fire Department concerning fireworks safety. However, with current conditions of drought, high heat and windy weather, Great Bend and most other locations in Barton County have officially nixed shooting fireworks at this time, including on the Fourth of July.  The following information still applies to wherever fireworks can be shot.


If the list of “Fireworks Safety Tips” from the Kansas State Fire Marshal sometimes sounds silly, it only goes to show how common sense is sometimes in short supply when explosives are involved.
For example, there’s the safety tip to “Never ignite fireworks indoors.” Great Bend firefighters have seen two structure fires in previous years that began with a firework lit in a home or garage.
For firefighters everywhere, safety is the number one concern, and when it comes to Independence Day, there is reason for concern. Children using fireworks should be supervised. Firecrackers should be lit on a hard surface such as pavement, away from grass and trees. It’s a good idea to water everything, and then keep a charged hose (or other source of water) handy in case of spot fires, Great Bend Fire Department Battalion Chief John Stettinger said.
City parks are off limits for fireworks. It’s also illegal to ignite them near a firework stand or other place where fireworks are stored.
Aerial fireworks can pose the biggest fire threat. Bottle rockets have been illegal in Kansas for many years, but many people still import them from other states. However, shooting them is still illegal, Stettinger said. “Shoot the fireworks where you bought them.”
Another thing to remember is that people who use fireworks are responsible for any damage they do.
“Watch where they land. If they go on a roof, someone needs to check and see where they went,” Stettinger said. “If a firework catches a tree or roof on fire, the insurance company wants to know who shot it. You could be liable.”
Modifying fireworks is also illegal. So-called “sparkler bombs” and other homemade items made by combining fireworks can be quite dangerous, and a violation of federal law.