Police warn of fireworks fines

The Havre Police Department has reminded people that regulations are in place for fireworks, with fines possible that can climb to $1,000, and that shooting off fireworks in Havre is illegal until Monday.

Both the Havre police and the Hill County Sheriff’s Office received complaints Wednesday about fireworks being set off.

In Havre, city ordinance allows some fireworks to be set off inside city limits, but only from Juiy 2 through July 4 and only from 8 a.m. to midnight.

Fireworks are banned from use in all city parks and may not be set off from any sidewalk, street, alley or public right of way.

People who violate the ordinances are subject to fines of $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second, $300 for the third and $1,000 for the fourth or subsequent violations.

The only fireworks allowed to be set off inside the city are those that meet the definition of “common fireworks” as set in the Code of Federal Regulations governing the topic, CFR 49, parts 173.88 and 173.100, a press release from the police department says.

Some of the fireworks that are not allowed to be used in Havre are skyrockets, Roman candles and bottle rockets.

The police warned people that it also is illegal to leave debris from discharged fireworks on public property or on someone else’s private property. People need to clean up and properly dispose of debris from the discharged fireworks.

The police press release wished everyone a safe Independence Day and offered some safety tips;

• Always have an adult supervise firework activities

• Don’t allow children to ignite fireworks

• Keep a bucket of water or a water hose nearby in case of a fire

• If a firework malfunctions, do not relight it, and douse and soak discharged fireworks with water and then throw them away.