Fireworks use illegal in cities, for sale in county
By Joseph Aprill, For the Williamson Herald
The 4th of July will soon be here with families getting together for barbecues, parades and most of all, fireworks.
Williamson County allows for the legal sale and use of fireworks around the 4th of July and New Year’s Eve. However, the cities of Franklin and Brentwood have passed their own laws banning both the sale and use of fireworks in their city limits.
“Our city commission passed an ordinance that bans the use and sale of fireworks in our city, except for professionally licensed fireworks shows,” said Brentwood Fire Chief Kenny Lane. “For anyone living outside of the city limits, the use of fireworks should always be supervised by an adult and the instructions on the packaging should be carefully read before the fireworks are used. Grass might be dry, which could easily cause a fire, so it would be recommended to get permission to use a hard surface like a parking lot.”
The city of Franklin has passed a similar ordinance that bans consumer fireworks, including sparklers. In both Franklin and Brentwood, fire officials and police will be able to write misdemeanors that, depending on the infraction, can be as high as a $500 fine.
“Outside of Franklin and Brentwood there is generally a two-week period around the 4th of July for people to shoot fireworks,” said Williamson County Rescue Squad Fire Marshall Bob Galoppi. “However, it can become a crime if the fireworks cause damage, which is a charge of reckless burning.”
Last year two major incidents occurred in Franklin as a result of fireworks. On July 2, two teens ignited a mulch fire that spread to a Wyndchase apartment building though fortunately firefighters were able to extinguish the flame with no individuals harmed. On July 25, a 25-year-old Franklin man made an improvised explosive device from fireworks that ignited behind the Williamson Square Chopping Center and caused a full structure fire response. The subject was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment.
“People enjoy their fireworks, but you have to question it when it becomes a safety issue,” said Nolensville Fire Chief Presley Hughes. “ People have to remember that fireworks are dangerous.”
According to the National Fire Protection Association, more fires have been reported on the 4th of July than any other day of the year, due to fireworks. NFPA reports there were 11 fireworks related deaths in 2007 and 9,800 fireworks related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms last year. The highest injury rates from fireworks were with children ages 5 to 14.
Bryon Griffith is working his 25th summer selling fireworks, which he started at the age of 13, and this has been his 15th summer so far working a Fireworks Supermarket tent in Grassland, right off of Hillsboro Road. He says he is able to put his two children through private school in part because of money he makes from the fireworks tent.
“We’re slower than we were last year and that probably has to do with the economy, but we make about 80 percent of our sales on the 3rd and 4th of July, so it’s hard to say right now how exactly we’re doing,” said Griffith. “One good sign is that the weather is better than last year and the year before that. The drought was rough on us.”
Across the street is another Fireworks Supermarket tent where working that day is Jenny Loyd, wife of Will Loyd, who is one of the owners of the 74 Fireworks Supermarket tents throughout Tennessee. Will Loyd’s grandfather started the business back in the 1970s and since then it has always been family run.
“I think it’s a shame they don’t allow it,” said Jenny Loyd about Franklin and Brentwood’s ban on fireworks. “I really do think people should have the right to celebrate the 4th of July.”
The Loyd family has even set up a petition in their tents for Franklin residents to ask the city to allow consumer fireworks to be shot on the 4th of July.
“It would lift the ban for not even a whole day,” said Griffith. “I think that’s not asking for too much.”
Both Griffith and Jenny Loyd are aware that everyone should be careful when using fireworks, especially when children are around. In front of all the registers are easily seen bold typed lists of rules and cautions about fireworks use.
“I once had someone come in who said they probably should read the instructions before shooting it,” said Jenny Loyd with some amazement that anyone would need to ask that. “Of course I told him that would be a very good idea.”
Griffith added the perfect comment to sum up everything that should be kept in mind when using fireworks.
“People just need to use common sense,” said Griffith. “Use your head and know what it is you’ve got in your hands.”
The city of Franklin’s professional fireworks display will begin at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 4 behind Franklin High School, with the best viewing in the city’s new Park at Harlinsdale Farm on Franklin Road. Brentwood’s Crockett Park concert, which begins at 7 p.m., will conclude with a fireworks display. Nolensville’s July 4th celebration will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. at Nolensville Park and will conclude with a fireworks display.
Posted on: 7/2/2009
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