SOLON — Fireworks have long been used as a celebration in America on the Fourth of July. It is the perfect way to end a day of parades, barbecues and hot weather. In 2017, Iowans got their first taste of buying and shooting off their own fireworks. Many complaints and injuries later, the laws have become stricter between each town.
In Solon, the use of fireworks is only allowed July 1 through July 3 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. and on July 4 between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
Solon is the only area under the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) jurisdiction that allows the use of fireworks. Public Information Officer for JCSO, Alissa Schuerer, said, “[If not in Solon] you have to get a permit from the Johnson County Board of Supervisors.”
Unincorporated areas in Johnson County strictly prohibit the use of fireworks. JCSO will have officers patrolling areas around Johnson County. They will also be ready to respond to calls about fireworks. Schuerer said, “[Our goal is] to prevent any injuries and dangerous activities anywhere we can.”
The University of Iowa Injury Prevention Research Center found in 2022 that since the legalization of fireworks there has been an uptick in not just injuries, but injuries to children and severe injuries.
Injuries to children because of the use of fireworks increased by 11.3% between 2017 and 2022. Many have come from children shooting the fireworks off, which is not against the law with adult supervision. It is encouraged by the IPRC to keep children a safe distance away from the fireworks.
18% of patients at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics have required amputation, mainly fingers, because of firework injuries after the legalization of fireworks. A massive increase from prior to the legislation, in which there were zero amputations recorded. These amputations cause greater disability and much higher healthcare costs.
The IPRC encourages Iowans who do want to shoot off their own fireworks to read the safety information on the packaging before firing away.
Fireworks safety tips from the National Safety Council
• Never allow young children to handle fireworks
• Older children should only use them under close adult supervision
• Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol
• Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear
• Never hold lighted fireworks in your hand
• Never light them indoors
• Only use them away from people, houses, and flammable material
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person
• Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting
• Never ignite devices in a container
• Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks
• Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding
• Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire
• Never use illegal fireworks
• Sparklers burn at about 2,000 degrees, consider safer alternatives such as glow sticks, confetti poppers or colored streamers.
Fireworks shows in the Corridor
Johnson County
North Liberty – Penn Meadows Park Wednesday, July 3 at 9:30 p.m.
Oxford – Wednesday, July 3 at dusk (street dance 6-10:00 p.m.)
Coralville – 4th Fest at S.T. Morrison Park, Thursday, July 4 at 9:45 p.m.
Iowa City – Friday, July 5 at the Pentacrest following the IC Jazz Festival (10:00 p.m.)
Linn County
Cedar Rapids – Ellis Park Wednesday, July 3 and Celebration of Freedom downtown Thursday, July 4