MFRD and MPD Gear Up for the New Year’s Holiday

Murfreesboro Fire Rescue and Murfreesboro Police Departments are gearing up for the upcoming New Year’s holiday.

As 2018 comes to a close, there are sure to be several people ringing in the New Year by celebrating with family and friends. Murfreesboro Fire Rescue and Murfreesboro Police want to make sure you celebrate safely and responsibly.

MPD officers will be looking for signs of impaired driving and enforcing alcohol related violations, especially DUI. “Driving after drinking is not worth the risk, get a sober ride home so everyone can start the new year safely,” says Officer Amy Norville.

Citizens in the city must also be aware that there are specific times that use of fireworks is permitted inside the city limits. According to City Code, “Fireworks may be used between 10:00 am and 12:00 am (midnight) on December 31st, and between 12:01 am (midnight) and 1:00 am and 10:00 am and 11:00 pm on January 1st.”

MFRD’s Community Risk Reduction Division 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.

MFRD urges citizens to enjoy public displays of fireworks conducted by trained professionals, rather than risking the use of consumer fireworks. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), fireworks start an average of 18,500 reported fires in the United States each year.

“If you do choose to shoot consumer fireworks, please exercise extreme caution, strictly follow the instructions on your fireworks packaging, and always make sure to have adult supervision,” warns Assistant Chief Carl Peas.

Peas also suggests to consider these tips from NFPA.

• 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.

For more tips on fireworks safety, please visit www.nfpa.org/fireworks. You can also find a public service announcement regarding consumer fireworks below:

Both MFRD and MPD want you to enjoy ringing in the New Year, but at no cost to your life or the lives of others!