When, where and how fireworks can be used by the public has been set by the Benton City Council. The usage of fireworks by the public in the City of Benton will be allowed between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. from July 3 through July 5 without being in violation of the city’s noise ordinance. However, a city ordinance requires that if citizens use fireworks, they are required to follow these guidelines:
- Clean-up – Any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, or association discharging fireworks under this ordinance shall, upon such discharge, be responsible for clean-up of the discharged site or other property that the discharged fireworks land on.
- Adult Supervision – No parent, guardian, or custodian of any child under the age of 18 shall knowingly permit or consent to the possession or discharge of fireworks by any child under the age of 18 without adult supervision.
- Safe and Sane Manner – During the approved dates and time frames, fireworks may be discharged within the city limits only on private property of the owner, or with the owner’s permission when such a discharge is in a safe and sane manner. As used in the part, “safe and sane manner” refers to actions which do not endanger life, limb, or property of those in the area of discharge. Fireworks discharged on private property shall be maintained on same private property.
- Prohibited Locations of Use – With the exception of the annual City of Benton Fourth of July public display, a Labor Day weekend public display and any display authorized by the City Council by resolution, no fireworks may be discharged within the boundaries of or within 300 feet of any public park owned or maintained by the City of Benton or any city owned property. No fireworks may be discharged within 1000 feet of any hospital, nursing, or assisted living facility. No fireworks may be discharged under or upon a motor vehicle, whether moving or not, or within 300 feet of any gas station; gas, oil, or propane storage facility; or other area which is highly flammable by nature. No fireworks may be discharged within 300 feet of any fireworks display stand or other areas where sales of fireworks are taking place.
The penalty for violating the ordinance includes a find of not less than $100 or more than $500 for first offense, a fine of not less than $200 or more than $500 for a second offense, and a fine of not less than $300 or more than $500 for a third offense. Each day of a violation constitutes a separate offense, according to the ordinance. The ordinance further states that, “Any damages caused or injuries sustained as a result of any violation of this ordinance shall be ordered paid as restitution as a part of any conviction for any violation. The court may order the reimbursement of costs of enforcement, investigation, fire suppression services, and overtime related to a violation upon conviction.”
The Benton Police Department wants the public to have fun and enjoy fireworks this Independence Day weekend, but be responsible. Always have an adult supervise the fireworks, chose an area on private property that is safe to set off fireworks (not a danger to people or danger to set a fire), and then clean up the area. Here are a few safety tips when using fireworks:
- Know your fireworks; read the cautionary labels and performance descriptions before igniting.
- A responsible adult SHOULD supervise all firework activities. Never give fireworks to children.
- Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Don’t drink alcohol while setting off fireworks.
- Wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks.
- Light one firework at a time and then quickly move away.
- Use fireworks OUTDOORS in a clear area; away from buildings and vehicles.
- Never relight a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
- Always have a bucket of water and charged water hose nearby.
- Never carry fireworks in your POCKET or shoot them into METAL or GLASS containers.
- Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.
- Never point or throw fireworks at anyone.
- Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
For more safety tips visit the National Council on Fireworks Safety website at www.fireworkssafety.org. To report information of suspected illegal or dangerous use of fireworks, call the Benton Police Department at 501-778-1171 or 501-315-TIPS. Individuals also may send us anonymous information to CRIMES (274637) with the keyword BNPD in the body of the text or go to www.crimereports.com to leave a tip. A crime tip can also be submitted via the official Benton Police Department app found on ITunes and Google Play.