Poll: Is Personal Fireworks Use in Berkley, Huntington Woods OK?

The nightly sound of fireworks whistling and popping in Berkley and Huntington Woods is a sure sign that the Fourth of July is just around the corner, but residents who think the displays are dangerous have little recourse thanks to .

It became legal this year to sell bottle rockets, Roman candles and other flying devices to consumers. Legislators passed the change, which Gov. Rick Snyder signed last Dec. 13, to generate sales tax revenue and registration fees. Sellers pay $1,000 annually for a permanent site or $600 for a tent or other seasonal, outdoor location.

Cities and townships can’t block sales, and have limited power to restrict where and when individuals can light mini-explosives that whine, bang and boom. The new law bars municipalities from regulating fireworks use on federal holidays – such as July 4 – or the day right before and after.

"I have real concerns of people injuring themselves, property and the fear it causes animals," Berkley resident Kevin Moser wrote to Berkley Patch. "Our greenery is very dry and fire dangers are real. I don’t like to be an ogre on things, but feel this is a huge mistake to allow average people to purchase such volatile munitions with no training or experience."

A number of Metro Detroit communities have enacted or are considering ordinances that would limit fireworks use, including the following:

• Birmingham Bans Fireworks Except on National Holidays

Director Richard Eshman and Lt. Ron Livingston said neither city has taken such steps.

However, Livingston said the state law only permits personal fireworks use on private property. So school grounds, streets, sidewalks and city ball fields are off limits, he said.

"Just make sure there's serious adult supervision and use common sense," Livingston urged.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology also offers the following safety tips to prevent eye injuries:

• Never let children play with fireworks of any type.
• View fireworks from at least 500 feet away.
• Leave the lighting of fireworks to trained professionals.
• Respect safety barriers set up to allow pyrotechnicians to do their jobs safely.
• If you find unexploded fireworks, do not touch them. Immediately contact your local fire or police departments.

Stay tuned to Berkley Patch for more Fourth of July news and photos or browse our coverage from last year's festivities.