It is legal for residents to use fireworks on private property in Stuart, so the local Fire Chief gives users advice in order to prevent the City from rethinking its ordinance.

As with state law, the City of Stuart allows fireworks to be used from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. from now through July 8th. Stuart Fire Chief Mike Renslow says in the few years since Iowa legalized the use of consumer fireworks in the state the department has not had to respond to any fireworks-related incidents, and he hopes it can stay that way, “It’s fun for people to utilize those and celebrate, but doing it responsibly. You know lighting them from a concreted area not near the dry grass. Obviously we’re real short on rainfall this year. Being safe about it, keeping children back, keeping people back, not doing it in the near vicinity of others.”

Other warnings Renslow heeds include to never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol, never hold lighted fireworks in your hands or point or throw them at another person, soak any fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding, and keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of a fire.