MFRD and MPD Coordinate Safety Efforts for Fourth of July

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

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

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 INFORMATION REGARDING CITY FIREWORKS REGULATIONS

In the city limits of Murfreesboro, it is only permissible to use fireworks on July 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th between the hours of 10:00 am and 11:00 pm.

Seasonal sales of fireworks are only permitted from June 28^th-July 5^th from State-approved retailers. According to Fire Marshal Carl Peas, a total of 15 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. It is also unlawful for any person to use any item of fireworks on public property including public streets, unless it is part of an approved public display.

The City of Murfreesboro prohibits the sell, use, or possession of 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, fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires per year, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and 16,900 outside and other fires. These fires caused an average of three deaths, 40 civilian injuries, and an average of $43 million in direct property damage.

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.”