MFRD and MPD Coordinate Safety Effort for Fourth of July

Jun 28, 2016 at 07:01 pm by bryan


As the Fourth of July weekend approaches, Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department and Murfreesboro Police Department are coordinating efforts to keep the citizens and visitors of Murfreesboro safe during the holiday.

MPD will have residential patrols as well as increased traffic enforcement over the holiday weekend. Officers will strictly enforce speeding, seat belt, DUI, and other traffic related laws as well as the City fireworks regulations.

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Both MPD and MFRD will be present at the city-sponsored "Celebration Under the Stars" event on July 4 at McKnight Park.

MPD will provide traffic and event control. MFRD will have the Special Events Team tent set up for the day's festivities and will be able to provide medical assistance if necessary. MFRD's award-winning Honor Guard will present colors at the opening ceremony and crews will be posted at the site where the fireworks will be launched. MFRD personnel will be on standby during the fireworks show.

IMPORTANT DATE/TIME CHANGES to "SEASONAL USE OF FIREWORKS"

It is important to note that dates and times for approved seasonal use of fireworks in Murfreesboro's city limits have changed. It is only permissible to use fireworks within the City on July 3rd, July 4th, and July 5th between the hours of 10:00 am and 11:00 pm.

Seasonal sales of fireworks are only permitted from June 28th-July 5th from State-approved retailers. According to Fire Marshal Carl Peas, a total of 12 fireworks retail sites were inspected and approved earlier this week.

The Fire Marshal's Office would like to remind citizens that it is unlawful for any person to use any item of fireworks on private property without the consent of the property owner or for any person to use any item of fireworks on public property including public streets.

It is also unlawful for anyone in the City of Murfreesboro to sell, use, or possess any mortar firework with a single tube, if that tube has been preloaded with a shell and the tube or shell has a diameter of one and a half inches. Anyone in the city limits is also prohibited from selling, using, or possessing reloadable fireworks and bottle rockets.

FIREWORKS SAFETY

According to the National Fire Protection Association, thousands of people, most often children and teens, are injured each year using consumer fireworks. NFPA's Fireworks Report, prepared by John R. Hall, Jr. states, "On July 4th in a typical year, far more U.S. fires are reported than on any other day, and fireworks account for two out of five of those fires, more than any other cause of fires."

MFRD urges citizens to enjoy public displays of fireworks (such as the City's "Celebration Under the Stars"), rather than risking the use of consumer fireworks. However, citizens who choose to use consumer fireworks are offered the following safety tips:

  • Obey local ordinances regulating the sale and use of fireworks.
  • Use fireworks in a safe area, away from dry fields, forests, and buildings.
  • Carefully follow label directions and always have adult supervision.
  • Light one firework at a time and handle lighters safely.
  • Never point or throw fireworks at people or animals.
  • Keep water and garden tools nearby. Wet towels can be used to extinguish small flames.
  • After the celebration ends, observe the area where fireworks were used to make sure everything is safe before leaving.

"To avoid injuries, those using fireworks should be extra cautious and strictly follow the instructions on their fireworks," said Assistant Fire Marshal Michael Bartlett, "and always make sure to have adult supervision."

For more information on Fireworks Regulations and Safety, or the City's Celebration Under the Stars, visit the City's website atwww.murfreesborotn.gov.

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