The 4th of July is quickly approaching and it’s important to know Manitowoc’s firework policies to stay safe this holiday.
In a recent interview with Manitowoc Police Chief Nick Reimer, he explained that it is illegal to even have possession of certain fireworks, even if you aren’t actually using them,
“It is illegal to even possess. It’s not just illegal to light firecrackers and bottle rockets off in the city; it’s illegal to actually possess them.”
Reimer further explained, “So I think some people are confused and thinking, well, as long as I don’t light them off, I can have them, I can have them in my hands; that’s not correct.”
On the other hand, there are other ways to celebrate the 4th at home, including sparklers that are 36 inches in length or shorter, stationary cone and fountain fireworks, toy snakes, smoke bombs, noisemakers, and confetti poppers with less than 1/4th grain of explosive mixture.
These are all safe but still fun alternative options.
Reimer also expressed the reasoning behind why firecrackers, Roman candles, bottle rockets, and other fireworks are illegal in Manitowoc,
“It’s just too dangerous, this city is just full of houses and people and it’s just not the right place to be lighting off or possessing illegal fireworks.”
Though certain bigger fireworks are illegal to use at home, every year along the lakeshore in Manitowoc, there is the opportunity to watch the Festival Foods Fireworks Show, which will begin at 9:30 p.m. on the 4th.
