Safe, Fun and Legal a Great Recipe for the 4th of July

From the state attorney general to local law enforcement, the word is safety this weekend.

"However you celebrate the Fourth of July, please stay safe, and respect your neighbor’s right to celebrate as they choose," said Lt. Dave Constantineau with the Muskego Police Department.

He also pointed out "the requirement that the wind velocity not be more than 15 miles per hour as recorded by the U.S. Weather Bureau in Milwaukee" is an important one, "and that the wind direction at the time of use is away from buildings or other combustible materials and structures so the fireworks are not carried onto any adjoining buildings so as to not cause annoyance or danger to other persons or property."

Sufficient firefighting equipment and people should also be available at the scene to control any fire which may be caused by the fireworks use.

In addition, while the days permit holders can set off fireworks has not changed, July 1 to July 7, the hours have been shortened to 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Attorney general JB Van Hollen also weighed in on what was legal without a permit.  As the current statutes state:

State law allows the sale, possession and use, without a permit, of sparklers not exceeding 36 inches in length, stationary cones and fountains, toy snakes, smoke bombs, caps, noisemakers, confetti poppers with less than 1⁄4 grain of explosive mixture, and novelty devices that spin or move on the ground.

Van Hollen said local ordinances can be more strict, and while the state does not restrict age, Muskego has required 18 years as the minimum age for purchase. 

View the city ordinance for fireworks here.