Omahans legally allowed to set off fireworks starting Thursday

With the Fourth of July holiday on Saturday, the Omaha Police Department is reminding citizens to follow the city's regulations regarding fireworks. Consumer fireworks can be discharged in Omaha from from noon to 11 p.m. starting Thursday and continuing through Saturday.

Fireworks in other communities, including Ralston, Gretna, La Vista, Papillion and Bellevue, have been allowed to be set off for about a week. 

Persons discharging fireworks in Omaha must be at least 16 years old. Youths aged 12 to 15 can, however, discharge fireworks under direct supervision of someone 19 years old or older. Selling of fireworks by authorized vendors began June 28th and will continue through Saturday.  

The police department has underlined some important notes of Omaha's fireworks ordinance:

• M-80s are not allowed. Only fireworks up to 1.4 grams of gunpowder may be sold at retail in Nebraska.
• Out-of-state fireworks are not allowed.
• Flying lanterns are prohibited from sale, possession and use in Nebraska.
• Rockets on a stick (bottle rockets) can be purchased in Nebraska as long as they are labeled as a 1.4 gram product.
• Wire sparklers are prohibited.

Fireworks complaints that are in progress should be directed to 402-444-5802. This is a non-emergency number that will allow complaints to be dispatched to officers on the street and keep 911 lines open for emergencies.

Calls to 911 should be made if there is immediate danger to life, safety or property due to fireworks use.

"The Omaha Police Department will have officers dedicated to fireworks complaints each day during fireworks season," the department said in a statement. "Violations of the city ordinance are criminal offenses and violators are subject to arrest."

Those persons found in violation of this ordinance could be cited for a criminal violation and may be subject to a fine for each separate conviction. Any person convicted of a violation of this section shall be punished under this section as follows:

• First offense: A fine of $300.
• Second offense: A fine of $400.
• Third and subsequent offenses: A fine of $500 for each separate conviction.

The Omaha Fire Department recommends keeping fireworks in a secure area away from children, keeping a bucket of water or hose nearby and soaking all fireworks in water before throwing them away. Residents should never light fireworks in a glass or metal container and should wait at least 20 minutes before handling a dud firework.

Officials also advise never lighting fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs or placing any part of the body over a firework while lighting it.