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The State of Indiana allows its cities to regulate the days and hours when consumer fireworks may be used, ignited, or discharged except for the following two days in June, nine days in July and New Year’s Eve: Between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and two (2)hours after sunset on June 29th, June 30, July 1, July 2, July 3, July 5, July6, July 7, July 8, and July 9 and between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 12:00midnight on July 4; and between the hours of 10 a.m. on December 31 and 1:00a.m. on January 1.

Pursuant to Richmond City Ordinance, the City of Richmond prohibits the discharging or exploding of any firecracker, torpedo, bomb, skyrocket, Roman candle, blank cartridge, or any other kind of fireworks within the city. The ordinance is suspended during the hours of the twelve days set forth in above paragraph. However, in the case of any public celebration, the mayor of the City of Richmond may grant any person or organization the right to discharge fireworks on such conditions as the mayor may deem safe and proper. The mayor granting of exception to the Richmond City Ordinance is subject to state licensing and inspection.

Violators of the City Ordinance regarding discharging fireworks could be fined One Hundred Dollars($100.00) as well as the administrative and legal expenses in enforcing the ordinance.

Use caution. Fireworks are beautiful to behold, but they can be dangerous to use. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2017, an estimated 12,900 people required emergency medical treatment for fireworks injuries and there were eight fireworks related deaths.  About two-thirds of those injuries occurred around Independence Day (between June 16,2017 and July 16, 2017).

Although Sparklers may seem innocuous, and they are classed as “novelty” fireworks, but they burn HOT— around 2,000 degrees. Sparklers accounted for 14% of all fireworks injuries in 2017, more than any other single type of firework.  Treat them seriously, do not give them to young children, and supervise their use by older children.

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For your safety and the safety of your children

• 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 pick up or try to re-light fireworks that fail to ignite (“duds”).
• Never point or throw fireworks at anyone.
• 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.
• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
• Soak used fireworks with plenty of water before discarding.

You may find more safety advice at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Fireworks Information Center.

Be courteous. Fireworks are not fun for everyone.  Fireworks can be especially stressful for combat veterans and people with certain cognitive impairments.  Animals also react poorly to fireworks.  Pets should be properly supervised.  The American Veterinary Medical Association offers detailed advice for handling pets around fireworks. In other words, be courteous to your neighbors and be sensitive to their needs and the needs of their pets.  

In summary, know the City of Richmond’s ordinances in regard to the discharge of fireworks, be safe in the handling of fireworks and be courteous to your neighbors. Have a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July.      

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Press Contact:
Jerry Purcell
Chief, Richmond Fire Department
jpurcell@richmondindiana.gov