As 4th of July Nears, Officials Caution Residents Before Lighting Off Fireworks

As 4th of July Nears, Officials 
Caution Residents Before Lighting 
Off Fireworks

MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - State firework laws and local ordinances are being enforced to keep residents safe this season.

With the recent approval of the sale of fireworks in Michigan, consumer sales have greatly increased.

"It really took off, people were excited and we had a lot of people come in. It took people a while to figure out that it was legal and everything, but once the word got out, people were coming in like crazy", said Dan Hurley, an employee of Jeff's Fireworks in East Lansing.

Fireworks are allowed to be set off between the hours of 9 a.m and 12 a.m. within two days of a national holiday, all fireworks should be properly weighted, and the fuse should be placed inside the mortar the correct way.

For safety reasons, make sure you remain 20-30 feet away from the spark. Stay away from alcohol and supervise children under eighteen. The state regulates fireworks with local ordinances stating that sky lanterns and M-80's are illegal.

According to Fred Cowper, Meridian Township's Fire Chief, anything that is not sold in stores that is being lit off is considered dangerous. Both Meridian Fire and Police Departments will be enforcing the Township's ordinance when it comes to fireworks.

Meridian Township's annual 4th of July Fireworks Celebration will take place on Friday, July 4th at Central Park South at 10 p.m.

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