The Branson Fire Department urges all residents and visitors to celebrate safely and legally when purchasing and discharging fireworks. Fireworks may be purchased in the City of Branson from June 20 through July 10, however, they can only be discharged from 7 a.m. to midnight on July 3 and 4, unless not allowed by neighborhood home owners associations.
Fires and injury are two common results when fireworks are not used properly.
“We encourage residents to follow instructions on the label of all the different types of fireworks. Fireworks should also never be held in the hand and safety glasses should always be used. It takes just seconds of ‘fun’ to lose an eye, cause burns or a traumatic injury,” said Branson Fire Chief, Ted Martin.
Even seemingly harmless, sparklers cause many injuries. For children under the age of five, sparklers account for three-quarters of all fireworks injuries. Small children are fascinated by the bright sparks and often grab the wrong part, which can reach 1,800 degrees.
Fireworks also cause thousands of fires each year across the nation. Lighters, matches and projectile type fireworks are the leading causes of fires during the Fourth of July holiday. A misguided bottle rocket landing on a roof may start a devastating fire, for example.
As a safety reminder, the Branson Fire Department offers these simple tips:
- Always purchase fireworks from reliable fireworks stands that sell only Class C (common) or 1-4.G fireworks
- Follow the label directions carefully and use common sense
- Fireworks activities should always be done under the close supervision of an adult
- Never point fireworks at another person
- Use fireworks only in a clear area outside away from buildings and vehicles
- Never shoot fireworks in a metal or glass container
- Light only one item at a time and move away quickly
- Always keep a water source close such as buckets of water or a garden hose to cool used fireworks completely and to extinguish any small fires.
To date there are five permitted fireworks stands in Branson for the 2019 season as well as six commercial fireworks displays that have been issued a permit by the Branson Fire Department.
Commercial Fireworks Displays in Branson:
June 21 The Track family Fun Park (Track IV) – Highway 76 Block Party
June 30 College of the Ozarks Honor America (Point Lookout, Missouri – just south of Branson)
July 3 Branson Landing – Commercial Fireworks show from a barge on Lake Taneycomo.
July 4 Chateau on the Lake Resort
July 4 Treasure Lake Resort
July 4 Surrey Grand Crowne Resort
Fire department staff will be on-site at each of these events. Please feel free to stop by to visit with the firefighters and tour the fire equipment. Contact the Branson Fire Department’s Technical Services Division at (417) 243-2790 with any further questions.