Today the Bismarck Police issued the following July 4th reminder. "The sale, possession or
discharge of fireworks within the City of Bismarck is prohibited, and violators could be charged with a class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and/or fined up to one thousand dollars.”

One question the department often gets is "What fireworks exactly are prohibited?" Anything sold at a fireworks stand, which has to be ignited, including snakes and sparklers, would not be legal in the city. Caps, for a cap gun, on the other hand are not prohibited.

The Fourth of July has become the traditional day for families to watch public fireworks displays, and for some youths to shoot off firecrackers. Unfortunately, this day for celebrating has also evolved into a day for numerous injuries ranging from burned fingers to lost eyesight and even death.

The hazards of fireworks are highlighted each year by accounts of explosions at pyrotechnic production plants or in vehicles during bootleg transport. However, victims of fireworks accidents are usually not the handlers but bystanders, and most often children.

All fireworks--punks, sparklers and firecrackers, Roman candles and cherry bombs--can burn the eyes and even cause blindness. Seemingly harmless sparklers sizzle at temperatures over 1550 F. Heightening the hazards is the tendency of youngsters to throw or toss fireworks in horseplay or to tamper with them to produce a bigger blast.

Other injuries are caused by flying fragments when fireworks devices are placed inside bottles, cans or other containers, and the explosion shatters the container.

The Bismarck Police Department would like to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable 4th of July holiday.

For more information contact Sergeant Mark Buschena, 355-1874.