The Fourth of July is just days away, and fireworks are always something to look forward to. But every year dozens of Arkansas children and adults are rushed to emergency rooms with firework related injuries.
All fireworks are illegal within the city limits of Little Rock. Every city is different, so before you light any fireworks you need to call your local fire department.
"We fire fireworks every year, at the beginning of the year and on the 4th of July." Rick Lee is the father of 6 kids and all of them want to see the sky light up with fireworks. "We've been asking for big booms in the sky, anything with a big spark in the sky is what we're looking for," he says.
Rick says if he came home and said no more fireworks on the Fourth of July, his kids would let him have it. "Anarchy. I think I'd be fired as a dad."
No matter how fun fireworks may be, Bill Buford of the Arkansas State Police Bomb Squad says they are even more dangerous. "Every year, hundreds of children lose hands and fingers across the U.S. from legal and illegal, M80's, and M-100's."
Rick knows the dangers, that's why they have rules in place. "We're safe. We make sure we don't use a lighter and we always have an adult present."
That's not all. Rick says no matter what they light they always read the directions and all fireworks are lit in open areas. "We've never had an injury. We've been lucky so far, 6 kids and no injuries."
Even though fireworks are fun to light and watch, experts would still love it if you would go see a show, and leave it up to the pros.
Local Firework Shows
July 3
Hot Springs: Fireworks begin After Dark at Power Boats at the Highway 7 Causeway.
Calico Rock: King City Park. Fireworks begin After Dark.
Brodie Creek: Sparkler Extravaganza at the Brodie Creek Pavilion. Fireworks at 8pm.
De Valls Bluff: Delta Tank Firework Show at 9pm
Heber Springs: Sandy Beach on
Greers Ferry Lake: Fireworks begin at 9:30pm.
July 4
Little Rock: Pops on the River: Riverfront Amphitheatre. Fireworks After Dark.
Fayetteville: Red, White & Boom. Baum Stadium. Fireworks begin After Dark.
Maumelle: Lake Willastein. Fireworks begin After Dark.
Bismarck: DeGray Lake Resort State Park. Fireworks begin After Dark
El Dorado: Union City Fairgrounds. Fireworks begin After Dark.
Benton: Tyndall Park. Fireworks begin After Dark.
Camden: Chamber of Commerce. Fireworks begin After Dark.
Hot Springs Village: Mountain Harbor Resort on Lake Ouachita, After Dark
Searcy: Near First Security Stadium at 9pm
Monticello: Lake Monticello. Fireworks begin at 9pm.
Cabot: Mt. Carmel Baptist Church Celebration 7:30-9pm. Fireworks at 9pm.
Sherwood: Sherwood Forrest. Fireworks begin at 9pm.
Pine Bluff: JC Regional Park. Fireworks begin at 9pm.
If you know of any other professional firework shows for the 4th of July, let us know in the comment section below.
