News
Safely Celebrate the 4th of July (posted July 2, 2025).png)
By Adam Behnke, Communications Specialist for Brown County Public Health
Editor's note: Want your July 4th safety reminders to be a little less wordy? Try our July edition of the Public Health Preparedness Press.
The Fourth of July is a time of celebration. The federal holiday brings plenty of fun and fireworks but also requires a focus on safety to ensure Independence Day remains independent of injury. Fireworks can be exceedingly dangerous if not handled properly. Each year in the United States, they cause about 19,000 fires and send more than 9,000 people to the emergency room. In 2023, police in Green Bay responded to nearly 100 fireworks-related calls around the holiday, and firefighters report putting out about 15 fires started by celebratory explosives. In today’s edition of the Healthy Herald, we explore the simple guidelines and local laws that ensure your festive Fourth can be sparkling and safe.
Know Your Local Laws and Ordinances
The rules on fireworks use by consumers (you and I) are fairly strict by design to prevent injuries and fires. Wisconsin state law generally prohibits any fireworks that explode or launch into the air without a permit. A great rule of thumb to follow would be: If it leaves the ground, leave it to the professionals. This means common firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles, and aerial mortars are illegal for personal use unless you have an official permit. The feasibility of getting such a permit as a private citizen is nearly impossible. In Green Bay, for example, you need proof of a $5 million insurance policy, professional site plans, and federal clearances. Other local communities echo what’s found in state law: any firework that flies or explodes is banned for consumer use without a permit. Police and fire departments highlight this rule for both safety and community courtesy, because powerful fireworks pose a risk for fire and can often startle neighbors and pets.
On the other hand, certain “novelty” fireworks are legal to buy and use without a permit in the badger state. These include sparklers (less than 36 inches long), stationary cones and fountains, toy snakes, smoke bombs, caps, noisemakers, and little confetti poppers or spinners that stay on the ground. Put simply, legal fireworks do not leave the ground or explode. But you shouldn’t consider these items to be free of risk just because they don’t require a permit. For example, sparklers burn at about 1,200 degrees, which is hot enough to cause severe burns.
An additional note: Selling powerful fireworks to someone without a permit is illegal, with fines reaching $1,000 for each violation. Parents can also be held liable if their underage children are caught setting off fireworks illegally.
If you would like to report illegal fireworks in a non-emergency situation (like it's very late and you keep hearing them nearby), you can call the Brown County Sheriff’s Department at (920) 448-4200 to leave a complaint. Please reserve the use of 911 for active emergencies like a fire or injury.
The bottom line is the best way to enjoy fireworks this 4th of July is to check out one of the many professional displays being put on by area municipalities!
Set Them Off Safely at Home
If you choose to use legal fireworks at home, or if you have kids enjoying sparklers or caps, it’s important to follow basic safety guidelines. Even small fireworks can cause serious injuries. More than half of fireworks injuries are burns, and about 1/3rd of the people hurt are children five years old and under.
- Never allow young children to light or play with fireworks without supervision. Even sparklers should only be handled by adults or responsible older kids under close watch. For children under 5, sparklers are not recommended at all. Glow sticks can be an alternative for kids who can’t safely hold a sparkler.
- When lighting any fireworks, wear closed-toe shoes and avoid loose clothing that could catch fire. It’s a good idea for the person lighting the fireworks to wear eye protection, as well. Keep all other people (and pets) at a safe distance from the igniting area, (because even sparklers can spit hot sparks).
- Only light fireworks outdoors in a clear, open area away from houses, garages, dry grass, trees, vehicles, or anything flammable. Light only one firework at a time, and never light fireworks in glass or metal containers that can shatter or become shrapnel. Also, never carry fireworks in your pocket because the friction alone can set them off.
- Set fireworks on a hard, flat surface like concrete or pavement. They should never be lit on grass or an unstable area where they could tip over. Keep spectators far back, about 20 feet at a minimum.
- Always have a bucket of water or a working garden hose nearby so you can quickly douse a firework that has malfunctioned or started a small fire.
- If a firework fails to ignite or launch (a “dud”), do not try to relight it and wait at least 20 minutes before approaching it. After that time has passed, soak the dud in water to ensure it doesn’t later ignite unexpectedly.
- Put spent fireworks away from anything combustible, and soak both used and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before throwing them in the trash. Sparklers should be doused in water after they go out and placed in a bucket of sand or water.
- Never pick up unexploded fireworks. If anything large didn’t go off, contact local fire officials for advice.
- Keep pets indoors and away from the area where you’re lighting fireworks. Dogs or cats may try to chase a lit firework or could be spooked by the noise and take off. More advice on pet safety is below, but the rule to follow at home is pets and fireworks don’t mix.
Most safety professionals would agree that the best way to enjoy fireworks around the 4th of July is to watch them put on by professionals, either in Green Bay or a nearby municipality. Discover Green Bay put together a handy-dandy resource with fireworks displays (and other entertainment) happening within a short drive. The best part about professional fireworks shows is that they’re run by licensed experts who know how to manage their safety. Plus, you get an amazing show that’s way more impressive than anything you can cobble together in your driveway.
- Big fireworks shows are thrilling, but you don’t want to be too close to where the shells are being launched. The American Red Cross recommends spectators stay at least 500 feet away from the launch site. Follow all barricades or guidance at the venue, because it's there for your safety. Sitting a bit further back not only protects you in the rare case of a misfire, but it also provides a panoramic view of the dazzling colors lighting up the night sky.
- Fireworks aren’t just bright – they’re loud! In fact, those blasts can reach 150 to 175 decibels at close range, which is louder than a jet engine and well past the threshold that can cause immediate hearing damage. Bring ear protection for yourself and especially for children. Foam earplugs or earmuff-style protectors are highly recommended by hearing experts. If you have a baby or toddler, consider watching from much farther away or even inside your car with windows up. Infants have very sensitive ears and should not be exposed to loud fireworks.
- Big events mean big crowds, so you should plan ahead to keep your family safe and comfortable in the crowd. Arrive early to find a good viewing spot and to avoid rushing or pushing through dense crowds in the dark. Identify a landmark or meeting point in case anyone in your group gets separated. When it’s time to leave, watch your step! The low light and smokey air could make it hard to see where you’re going. Bring a flashlight or use your phone light!
- Early July in Wisconsin is usually warm and humid, so bring some water for yourself and your family to stay hydrated during your time outdoors. Dehydration or heat exhaustion can sneak up on someone, especially if they’re distracted with excitement about the impending show. If you’re out during the heat of the day, use sunscreen and bring a hat or umbrella for some shade. Light-colored, breathable clothing can help keep you cool. And don’t forget the bug spray! Dusk by the Fox River can be prime mosquito territory and you don’t want to get eaten alive!
- Pets and fireworks do not mix. We repeat: pets and fireworks do not mix. It’s always the better idea to leave your animals safely at home during any fireworks show. Never bring your dog to a fireworks display, because even the most well-behaved furry friend can panic in the midst of the deafening noises and bright lights. Their hearing is far more sensitive than ours, making every blast a terrifying, disorienting incident.
- Make your pet comfortable at home in a “safe space”:
- Close the windows
- Draw the shades
- Turn on some calm music or the TV to help drown out the booms.
- Local shelters often report an increase in lost dogs after fireworks nights, because they bolt in fear and can’t find their way home.
- Make sure your pet has up-to-date ID tags and a microchip with current contact information, just in case they get loose.
- You can also talk to your veterinarian about anxiety remedies if your pet is extremely sensitive to noises.
- Make your pet comfortable at home in a “safe space”:
Brown County Public Health hopes your 4th of July holiday is a blast – just the figurative kind, of course! By prioritizing safety, the memories you make with your family can remain happy ones. Remember, safety officials know what they’re talking about when they urge you to leave the big fireworks to the professionals, and go enjoy a sanctioned show in the area. If you do use sparklers or other small novelties at home, do so carefully and legally, following the guidelines laid out earlier in the article. A little preparation and know-how can go a long way toward preventing a summer holiday disaster.
Stay Healthy, Brown County!
Resources
https://www.greenbaywi.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=697&ARC=941
https://www.greenbaywi.gov/ImageRepository/Document?documentID=12655
https://www.greenbaywi.gov/Faq.aspx?QID=62
https://fox11online.com/news/local/green-bay-boats-fireworks-independence-day-fourth-of-july-pfd-police-fire-department-safety-water
https://www.greenbaywi.gov/163/Fireworks
https://www.ledgeviewwisconsin.com/fireworks-whats-legal-whats-not/
https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/2022/follow-these-steps-for-a-safe-4th-of-july.html?
https://www.greenbay.com/blog/post/your-guide-to-fourth-of-july-fireworks-in-green-bay-beyond/
https://www.boystownhospital.org/knowledge-center/fireworks-hearing-loss
https://www.wihumane.org/fourth-of-july-safety-tips