Stop Listening to All The Rumors! Here are the FACTS About Fireworks on City of Lawton Owned Property
I kept hearing all this conflicting information about where you can and where you can NOT light fireworks in or around the Lawton area so I went right to the city to ask and this is what I found out. According to Michael J. Wright, Deputy Fire Marshal and also City Ordinance 11-2-213 (copy of which you can download by clicking HERE)
"Fireworks have always been illegal to discharge in Lawton’s city limits, with the exception for a set time on the 4th of July at Lake Lawtonka. The ordinance passed last year added the sell and possession, making it illegal now to sell, possess and discharge fireworks within the city limits, to include both lakes.
So there you have it. You can read the entire ordinance to get all the legal jargon. I won't bore you with that. But DO NOT light fireworks in the city limits or at either lakes (Lawtonka and Ellsworth). I am not sure of the exact fine but I've heard upward in the neighborhood of $750 and/or jail time. It's not worth it people!
There is going to be a family friendly, fun event at Elmer Thomas Park all day on Saturday so come out and enjoy that! There will be lots of vendors, music and a kids zone. Bring the lawn chairs, pic-nic blankets and you can even have a pop-up tent during the day. (You will need to take it down for the fireworks!).
Deputy Fire Chief Michael Wright also wants to give you some safety tips should you decide to light fireworks anywhere else. Deputy Wright stated:
Again, I CAN NOT recommend the use of fireworks BUT if folks are planning on discharging them (out of the city limits) on the 4th of July, I have listed some fireworks safety tips below:
- Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
- Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities.
- Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
- Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
- Never light or ignite fireworks while holding them. Parents don't realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures from 1,200 to 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals.
- Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
- Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
- Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
- Hearing and eye protection is recommended.
- Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
- After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.
So, now you have the FACTS and we can get on to enjoying our 4th of July celebration and let the experts light up the night sky! It's going to be amazing. More details about the event can be found in our event section. Here is a quick link to the information for you!
And since most of us are visual, here is Critter from Z94 giving us a demonstration on what is and is not allowed within the city limits of Lawton!