July 4th Fun, Ordinances & Safety

CelebrationHolidaySafety
Written By Chi Benedict

July 4th Fun, Ordinances & Safety

 
Photo taken by Eric Lanning. Grand Rapids, MI in 2010. https://www.flickr.com/photos/lanninge/4763960370/

Photo taken by Eric Lanning. Grand Rapids, MI in 2010. https://www.flickr.com/photos/lanninge/4763960370/

It's that time of the year again and we wanted to remind residents that you can legally use "consumer fireworks" during the following times:

  • 8 a.m to midnight, July 3
  • 8 a.m. to midnight, July 4
  • 8 a.m. to midnight, July 5

In the city of Grand Rapids it is NOT LEGAL to use louder, more powerful fireworks between Midnight and 8 am (Sparklers are okay). The fine for breaking the law and getting caught is $500.

A couple other key points:

  • Regardless of what time it is, it’s illegal to use fireworks on public property or at schools or churches. Fireworks only can be used on private property with the permission of the owner.
  • Even during the permitted 16-hour periods, it’s illegal to use fireworks under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Annoyed with fireworks and think someone is breaking the law?

Call the Grand Rapids Police at 456-3400 and report it.

Click the link below to see: 

July 4th Celebrations in Kent County, MI

City Of Grand Rapids

Holiday Media Release

City of Grand Rapids Offices/Pools/Library sites:

City of Grand Rapids offices, all Grand Rapids Public Library sites and the 3 city pools are closed on Tuesday, July 4, 2017. They will resume normal operations on Wednesday, July 5, 2017.

While Richmond, Briggs and Martin Luther King pools are closed, all City splash pads will be open for residents to beat the heat on July 4th.

Trash/Recycling Services:

Due to the Independence Day holiday, refuse, yard waste and recycling services will be delayed. There will be no collection on Tuesday, July 4, 2017. Tuesday through Friday's collections will be delayed one day (Tuesday collection will take place Wednesday, Wednesday's normal collection will be picked up on Thursday, etc.).

The City's Yard Waste Drop-Off site will be open on Tuesday, July 4 for customer convienience. Located at 2001 Butterworth SW, the Yard Waste Drop Off site will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Residents will need to show a valid ID proving residency in the City of Grand Rapids.

For 24-hour access to a vareity of City services 365 days-a-year, please visit grcity.us

 

FIREWORK SAFETY

The Grand Rapids Fire Department offers these important fireworks safety tips:

  • Never allow children to play with or ignite any fireworks. Sparklers, although considered by many the ideal "safe" firework for the young, burn at very high temperatures and can easily ignite clothing. Many children do not understand the danger involved and cannot act appropriately in case of emergency.
  • Keep a bucket of water handy in case of a malfunction or fire.
  • Read and follow all warnings and instructions.
  • Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks. Never shoot a firework at or near another person.
  • Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves, and flammable materials. Never light a firework while holding it in your hand!
  • Never try to relight fireworks that have not fully functioned. Douse and soak them with water and throw them away.
  • Never ignite fireworks in a container, especially a glass or metal container.
  • Keep unused fireworks away from firing areas.
  • Never have any portion of your body directly over a firework while lighting.
  • Don't experiment with homemade fireworks.
  • Never mix fireworks and alcohol!
  • Observe local laws.
  • Fireworks may be discharged within the city limits of Grand Rapids between the hours of 8 a.m. and midnight on July 3, 4, and 5 only.
  • State law prohibits igniting fireworks on a public street, public sidewalk, park, church, school, or public rights of way.

And as a reminder: Outdoor burning is not permitted and the use of portable fire pits and chimeneas are only permitted in the City of Grand Rapids if you have a recreational fire permit. 

 

Pets & July 4th Celebrations

July 4th can be scary for your pets. The loud noises from fireworks can cause a lot of stress for them. These are helpful tips for pet owners.

Tips for residents to ease the holiday celebrations for your pets:

  1. Keep your pet safely away from fireworks. It's best to keep your pets inside. Fireworks can frighten pets and sometimes they will run off.  So if you have a dog that needs to go outside and you do not have a fenced in yard or cannot leave your pet at home, make sure they are on a leash and secure at all times. (There is also a leash law in place in our city).
  2. Safegaurd your pet with a collar, ID tag and microchip. This is in case they do run off the person that finds them has a way to contact you.
  3. If you have a pet that is anxious about noises like fireworks, close your windows to help quiet the sound. Just having some background noise--a TV or some music can help keep them distracted. If you are inside with your dog, just playing with them and help keeping them occupied will help ease their stress. You can also consider asking your veterinarian for help and possibly getting them medication.
  4. Another reason to keep them from celebrations is that high temperatures can put a pet at risk for heat stroke which can become deadly very quickly. Protect them from heat stroke during summer activities, never leave them in a parked car and keep them hydrated and cool.
  5. Dogs should not be given people food. Veterinarians see a lot of health issues from dogs eating leftover bones from family barbecues. Foods that can upset your pet's digestive tract include onions, garlic, avocados, grapes, raisins and chocolate.
  6. Lastly, if you have not secured your pet and your pet flees the sounds of the holiday, contact the following places to try locating your lost pet. The same goes for a resident who is looking for the owner of a found pet:

By Phone:

  • Kent County Animal Shelter: (616) 632-7300
  • Animal Hospitals - Some times a pet gets hurt when they run off so contact your local veterinarian/animal hospitals.
  • Humane Society of West Michigan: (616 453-8900

On Facebook:

Safety Tip: Be wary of pet-recovery scams. When talking to a person you don't know who claims to have found your pet, ask them to describe the pet completely before you offer any information. If he/she does not include the identifying characteristic you left out of the advertisements/flyers or postings, they may not really have your pet. Be particularly wary of people who insist that you give or wire them money for the return of your pet. Other tips on what to do if your pet is lost can be found here 

Chi Benedict
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