With the 4th of July just around the corner, the discharging of fireworks will soon be happening.  The 2013 South Dakota Legislature changed the state law to allow the discharge of fireworks from June 27th until the Sunday after July 4th.  However, individual cities have the option of adopting stricter limits to the use of fireworks.  Dell Rapids passed Ordinance 668 on June 7th, 2004, limiting the discharge of fireworks to just July 4th between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. within the city limits:

• (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to shoot or discharge any fireworks, as that term is defined and used in SDCL ch. 34-37, within the city limits except on July 4 of  each year. On July 4 of each year, only permissible fireworks as defined by SDCL 34-37-5 shall be permitted to be discharged and then only between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. on each said July 4. Violation of this section shall result in a minimum fine of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) plus costs, and each subsequent violation in the same year shall result in a minimum increase in the fine of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per subsequent violation (i.e., twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for first offense, fifty dollars ($50.00) for second offense, seventy-five dollars ($75.00) for third offense, etc., plus costs).

City and state officials also remind residents to be safe this holiday with a few tips:

• follow the instructions on the product
• avoid using fireworks in places where a fire could start
• keep a source of water handy
• make sure children use sparklers under adult supervision