As the summer season is upon us and the Independence Day holiday is quickly
approaching, Meridian Township would like to remind residents to follow the rules and regulations of using fireworks.
In 2011, the State of Michigan enacted the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act which modifies the standards under which local municipalities may regulate the ignition, discharge and use of consumer fireworks. The Township Board amended its fireworks safety ordinance on July 23, 2013 to meet the requirements of the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act.
According to the ordinance, a person shall not ignite, discharge or use Low-Impact Fireworks or Consumer Fireworks between the hours of 1:00 am and 8:00 am. Consumer Fireworks may only be ignited or discharged on the day preceding, the day of, or the day after a National Holiday.
This ordinance may be enforced by the Township Fire Chief, Fire Marshal, Fire Inspectors, Law Enforcement Officers, and Code Enforcement officials. If an enforcing official has determined that a violation of this ordinance has occurred, the official may seize the Fireworks as evidence of such violation. .
Here are a few safety tips to consider when handling fireworks:
• Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks.
• Know your fireworks; read the cautionary labels and performance descriptions before igniting.
• A responsible adult SHOULD supervise all firework activities. Never give fireworks to children.
• Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Save your alcohol for after the show.
• Wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks.
• Light one firework at a time and then quickly move away.
• Never relight a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
• Always have a bucket of water and charged water hose nearby.
• Never carry fireworks in your POCKET or shoot them into METAL or GLASS containers.
• Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.
• Dispose of spent fireworks by wetting them down and place in a metal trash can away from any building or combustible materials until the next day.
• Report illegal explosives, like M-80s and quarter sticks, to the fire or police department
Information provided from the National Council on Fireworks Safety. To read the full Fireworks Ordinance, visit the Meridian Township website at www.meridian.mi.us
