“I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations,
as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance
by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade,
with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one
End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”
John Adams, July 3, 1776
As John Adams predicted, Independence Day is forever linked with fireworks. This Roundabout story has information on celebratory fireworks displays in Woodbury and nearby communities. Some citizens continue their celebrations with individual fireworks which can involve issues of safety, laws, and consideration of special needs and neighbors.
Minnesota law
Those who create community aerial displays need to be specially licensed. Minnesota has some of the strictest fireworks laws in the country banning airborne fireworks and explosives with a loud bang for individual use and permitting only sparklers, snakes, party poppers, and other items that emit sparks or smoke but do not explode or leave the ground as well as ground-based sparkling devices including fountains, cones, and other devices that emit sparks but remain on the ground.
Those of us who live near our state’s borders know that neighboring jurisdictions sell a much wider range of fireworks. It is illegal to bring those devices into Minnesota, but every year they arrive in our neighborhoods. Fines can be levied but use around the 4th of July is rarely considered an emergency. If you have concerns about excessive or dangerous use of illegal fireworks especially by those under 18, you can contact Woodbury Police Non-Emergency Dispatch at (651) 714-3600 to speak with an officer.
Safety
Even legal fireworks can cause accidents and injury. The Woodbury Fire Department shared a video and these safety suggestions:
- Always provide adult supervision and keep fireworks away from small children. Keep fireworks far away from animals, trees, buildings, storage tanks and other combustibles.
- Keep a bucket of water nearby to cool spent sparkler wires and extinguish other fireworks. Do not let children or animals run through the area where fireworks are being set off. They could step on a hot spent firework.
- Do not try to re-light a dud. Soak it in a pail of water.
- Read instructions carefully for each device. If it looks damaged, don’t use it.
Special Needs
Folks on the autism spectrum, those with PTSD, and veterans may be hypersensitive to the unpredictable loud noise and light flashes of fireworks. If someone in your family struggles with these issues, it is worthwhile to plan ahead. Experts suggest that these approaches may be helpful:
- Discuss fireworks in advance. Use social stories if they have helped in the past. Determine which part of the experience causes the most over-stimulation.
- Maintain routine.
- Address sensory needs by providing comfort items, fidget toys, weighted vests, chewing options that have worked in the past.
- Provide noise-cancelling headphones or bluetooth devices with calming music. Let your neighbors know that fireworks are very stressful for your family and ask (don’t demand) for their support in limiting them.
Pets
The noise and even the reverberations from fireworks can scare dogs and cats. They may even try to run away to escape the noise. Animal experts offer this guidance:
- Make sure your pet’s license, ID tag, and microchip are up-to-date in case they do get loose.
- Establish a safe calming space inside away from windows and doors. Exercise your dog outside, on a leash long before dark.
- Offer calming and comfort but understand that they may prefer to hide or head for their crate.
- Provide distraction like puzzle chew toys.
- If your pet has had significant problems in prior years, talk to your vet about additional options.
- Avoid debris that may be left behind by fireworks.
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