56.7 F
Clarksville
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsClarksville Police Department reminds Clarksville Residents of Fireworks Regulations, Safety Tips

Clarksville Police Department reminds Clarksville Residents of Fireworks Regulations, Safety Tips

Clarksville Police Department - CPDClarksville, TN – With July 4th, Independence Day, coming up next week, the Clarksville Police Department is reminding everyone about local ordinances, state laws, and fireworks safety.

There is an average of four deaths a year annually due to fireworks, over 9,000 injuries, 20,000 fires caused by fireworks, and approximately 45 percent of injuries incurred were to children under 14 years of age.

City of Clarksville allows Fireworks July 1st-5th from 6:00pm until 10:00pm
City of Clarksville allows Fireworks July 1st-5th from 6:00pm until 10:00pm

In the Clarksville city limits, in accordance with City code Sec 10-218, fireworks may be exploded, fired, shot, or set off inside the city corporate limits of the city on the following dates and times: July 1st through July 5th between the hours of 6:00pm and 10:00pm.

Except for city conducted or sponsored events it is unlawful for any person, organization, group or entity to possess, use, explode, fire, shoot or set off any type of fireworks from within any city park, or recreational facility or property.

Also, it is unlawful for any person under the age of sixteen to use, explode, or possess any fireworks within the city limits unless they are under the direct supervision of an adult at least eighteen years of age. Tennessee Code Annotated 68-104-112 also adds that it is unlawful to explode or ignite fireworks within 600 feet of any church, hospital, asylum, public school, or within 200 feet of where fireworks are stored, sold, or offered for sale.

Additionally, no person shall ignite or discharge any permissible fireworks within or throw any permissible articles of fireworks from a motor vehicle while within. Or throw any ignited article of fireworks into or at a motor vehicle, or at or near any person or group of people.

Sec. 10-218. – Fireworks—Unlawful to explode.

(1) Except as set out below, it shall be unlawful for any person, organization, group, or entity to explode, fire, shoot, or set off at any place within the corporate limits of the city, or allow to be exploded, fired, shot or set off on property owned or leased by same and located within the city, any firecrackers, Roman candles, sparklers, powder-loaded pinwheels, torpedoes, or any other article or material constituting “fireworks.”

(2) Fireworks which may be lawfully purchased inside the corporate limits of the city, as specified in § 10-217 may be exploded, fired, shot, or set off inside the city corporate limits of the city on the following dates and times:

a. July 1st through July 5th, between the hours of 6:00pm and 10:00pm; and

b. December 28th through December 30th, between the hours of 6:00pm and 10:00pm; and

c. December 31st between the hours of 6:00pm and 12:00 midnight; and

d. January 1st between the hours of 6:00pm and 10:00pm; and

e. Such other dates and times as may be approved by resolution of the city council in situations where the state or the city fire chief has declared a public burning or fireworks ban due to public safety or weather related reasons during the duties and times established in subsections a. through d. Above.

f. Such other dates as may be approved by the fire chief (or his/her designee) provided that the person, organization, group, or entity;

1. Shall use the services of either a certified outdoor display operator or a licensed exhibitor, as defined in state law of general application, and obtain prior approval from the fire chief (or his/her designee); and

(a.) The certified outdoor display operator or a licensed exhibitor, shall coordinate and be responsible for all costs associated with securing a city fire department fire suppression vehicle and the necessary firefighters, including any overtime compensation, onsite during the time of the fireworks display;

(2) Satisfies any such other requirements pertaining to public safety as may be prescribed by the fire chief (or his/her designee).

(3) Except for city conducted or sponsored events utilizing a professional pyrotechnics business, it shall be unlawful for any person, organization, group, or entity to possess, use, explode, fire, shoot, or set off any type of fireworks from within any city park, or recreational facility or property.

(4) It shall be unlawful for any person under the age of sixteen (16) years to use, explode, or possess any fireworks within the city limits unless they are under the direct supervision of an adult of at least eighteen (18) years of age.

(5) Any sworn officer of the Clarksville police department shall have the authority to issue citations alleging a violation of any part of this section and citing violators to city court. Upon a finding that a violation has been committed, the city court shall impose a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00) and court costs.

(1963 Code, § 19-19.02; Ord. No. 31-2001-02, 11-1-01; Ord. No. 18-2002-03, 10-3-02; Ord. No. 59-2007-08, 1-3-08; Ord. No. 99-2012-13, 7-2-13; Ord. No. 68-2013-14, § 1, 6-5-14)

 

Safety Tips for Handling Rireworks

  • Know your fireworks, read the labels and understand the specifications before igniting.
  • A responsible adult, 18 or older, should oversee and ensure the proper use of fireworks.
  • Wear proper safety gear, such as safety glasses and gloves, when shooting fireworks.
  • Light one firework at a time and then move away.
  • Ensure fireworks are used outdoors in a clear area, away from building, cars, or other potential hazards. Also, light near dry grass. Keep away from brush, leaves, and flammable substances.
  • Have a bucket of water, charged water hose, or extinguisher nearby.
  • Don’t relight a dud firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak in a bucket of water.
  • Fireworks should not be carried in your pocket or shot into metal or glass containers.
  • Spent fireworks can still be a fire hazard so wet them down and place in a metal trash can away from a building or combustible materials.
  • Be extra careful with sparklers, they can reach temperatures over 1200 degrees.
RELATED ARTICLES

Latest Articles