MT. JULIET, Tenn. -
Lack of rain and 100-degree weather in the forecast could spell trouble for upcoming Fourth of July celebrations.
In Mid-State cities like Franklin and Nashville, citizens aren't allowed to light fireworks but in many other jurisdictions like Mt. Juliet, fireworks are legal.
Already anxious about the tinderbox conditions, Mt. Juliet Police Chief Andy Garrett is trying to get the message about safety out early.
"Our biggest concern is safety," Garrett told Nashville's News 2 adding, "Fireworks are pretty but they are explosives. We put out on our Nixel release [to] use common sense."
He continued, "For example, if you are going to shoot off fireworks in your front yard and it is dry as a bone, it could start a fire simply by dropping a match."
He encouraged residents to wet their grass down first.
He also reminds citizens there are time parameters for firework use. Fireworks can only be shot from June 20 through July 5 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 10 p.m.
"We get calls now that fireworks are being shot in neighborhoods at 8 p.m. They're in their scope to do it, but the question is, are they supervised? We get there and see debris, but rarely ever see anyone shooting fireworks. Our concern, with this weather being so dry, is that any HOA or any group who is partying, if they shoot fireworks, to be safe, to be prepared in case a fire starts accidentally," he said.
Garrett continued, "On July 4 we will have WEMA out there and our operation center and traffic control and we'll be ready in case something happens."
The chief says that anyone caught illegally shooting off fireworks could be fined as much as $188.
Read the city of Mt. Juliet's fireworks safety plan.
