Residents reminded of fireworks laws for 4th of July

LIHUE — Kauai Fire Department officials are reminding residents that they need to get a permit from the fire department by Thursday, July 2 if they plan to light fireworks and firecrackers on the Fourth of July.

Fireworks and firecrackers may only be ignited on private property between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 4.

Applications are available at KFD headquarters located at the Lihue Civic Center Piikoi Building, 4444 Rice Street, Suite 315, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The cost of a fireworks permit is $25. Applicants must be at least 18 years old to be issued a permit.

Only licensed pyro-technicians with proper permits are authorized to ignite aerial fireworks.

Although the following items are classified as fireworks, no permit is required to purchase them: snakes, sparklers, fountains, cylindrical or cone fountains, whistles, toy smoke devices, wheels and ground spinners, and other similar products.

Fire officials are also taking this opportunity to remind residents that all aerial luminaries, also known as flying lanterns or flying luminaries, are deemed a fire hazard and pursuant to section 15-A-2.2 of the Fire Code, it is “unlawful to buy, sell, use ignite or cause to ignite any such Aerial Luminary Devices.”

Capt. Daryl Date with the Fire Prevention Bureau advises everyone to exercise caution when igniting fireworks.

Residents are urged to follow all instructions that come with fireworks and be sure that children are under adult supervision at all times.

Fireworks will be on sale from five days prior to the permissible date to set off fireworks, which will be Monday.

Places that will sell them will be: Foodland, Walmart, Big Save, Times, Costco, Cost-U-Less, Kmart, Safeway and Longs Drugs.

The fine is not more than $2,000.

For more information about fire safety, contact the Fire Prevention Bureau at 241-4985.