The first of July kicks off a lot of firework sales in central Arkansas. Many of you plan to watch the pros handle it for "Pops on the River". For the rest of you there are only certain spots you can set fireworks off.
It's all about location, location, location. The city of Little Rock doesn't want any confusion. Man Dogs are illegal, bottle Rockets are illegal, even Sparklers are illegal within city limits. But that isn't expected to slow down firework sales. The latest 4th of July stock rolls off the truck. Fireworks are big business in central Arkansas.
Nova Martin browses during her lunch break and buys $30 worth.
"I have some little tanks at the house still, some little dinosaurs that will roll, just little moving parts that will interest the kids," Martin said.
That's what has Little Rock Police, Fire, and EMT’s worried. The average age for firework injuries is eight years old. Martin says she's aware of the danger.
"I let them watch them. They aren't old enough yet, I don't really let them light them," Martin said.
Lighting anything in Little Rock will land you a $500 fine.
"In a lot of traditions it is part of the holiday but losing your home to a fire is not part of the holiday," said Bruce Jones with the Little Rock Police.
LRPD will patrol this weekend listening for fireworks.
"I would not look for us sitting on the county line trying to get people bringing fireworks back into the city but this is something we have to make an effort at," Jones said.
Martin lives in Little Rock and says she's ok with stepped up enforcement.
"They are only looking out for our safety. It's been dry, don't want to start fires or anything like that. So everyone just needs to be careful," Martin said.
Martin says she has a spot in the county she plans to set them off at. If you hear fireworks in Little Rock and you want it to stop, you're asked to call 3-1-1. The same no tolerance rules apply in North Little Rock. In other municipalities like Bryant you can launch from home but not near parks or nursing homes or under your car.
