The Fourth of July holiday upon us. While fireworks, including sparklers, are illegal in Illinois, Monmouth Fire Chief Casey Rexroat has these tips for individuals to remember when celebrating:
“Although fireworks are not legal in Monmouth, I still know that there are going to be people out there purchasing fireworks and lighting them off and that does include sparklers, which are illegal. I hate to say that all fireworks are illegal in Monmouth, but the sparklers and the smoke bombs and things like that you can find at the store are illegal. We just want to be sure that everyone is being careful. Have an adult lighting them. Don’t have kids out there playing with matches and lighters, especially when using sparklers. They can burn up to 1200 degrees and that is enough to melt some metals. Make sure to have an adult light those and when the kids are done with them, have a bucket of water or something around to put the sparklers in so they aren’t tossing them on the ground for an animal or another child can walk across it in bare feet. Please be very careful out there when using fireworks.”
The City of Monmouth will have their 4th of July fireworks display on the 4th at dusk over Citizen’s Lake.
**Written by WMOI/WRAM Director of Communications Kelsey Crain**
