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KCKFD inspectors working to keep fireworks stands safe

Posted at 6:38 PM, Jul 03, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-03 23:21:33-04

Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department inspectors are working late to keep the more than 40 fireworks stands in the city in compliance. 

There are a few things stands can't sell:

  • bottle rockets
  • sky rockets
  • missile-type rockets
  • unmanned aerial lanterns 

When inspectors like Kelli Littlefield show up, they make sure stands are a proper distance away, fire extinguishers are present and no prohibited items are being sold.

"Things that we cannot have are bottle rockets, rockets on fins. There's big rockets that come on sticks and use the sticks for guidance. They look like giant, glorified bottle rockets. Those are no and the sky lanterns are a big no," Littlefield said.

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The University of Kansas Hospital treated three people on July 3 and nine people on July 4 in 2016. Since Friday, the hospital has treated eight people for fireworks-related injuries.

In KCK, the ordinance states you cannot pop fireworks from a street, an alley, a sidewalk or a public way. All fireworks stands close at 10:00 p.m. during the selling period and all fireworks have to be popped by 11:00 p.m. on July 4.

Littlefield added, "The truth of the matter is, people will pop way later than that. Be kind to your neighbors. Use common sense. Quit by midnight, please. People have to go to work the next day."