Four safety tips to enjoy fireworks, protect sensitive people

Note: This is a joint press release from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the Iowa Department of Public Health and the State Fire Marshal’s office 

As much as we love fireworks, drifting smoke can cause breathing problems for some and drought conditions may pose additional risks this year.

Dry conditions and the threat of fires may cause some towns, especially in northwest Iowa, to take extra precautions with their fireworks displays. Whether attending a display or celebrating in your backyard, keep these four safety tips in mind.

1. Keep sensitive people upwind

“First, if your family or friends suffer from asthma or respiratory difficulties, it’s important for them to stay upwind, a safe distance from fireworks smoke,” says Brian Hutchins, DNR air quality supervisor. “The elderly and children are also vulnerable to high levels of smoke.”

Sensitive people are most likely to have trouble breathing when air is stagnant. With no breeze, fine particles can be trapped near the ground and build to unhealthy levels.

Smoke contains fine particles and gases, which can be hard on the lungs. Fine particles in fireworks’ smoke come from black powder used to shoot fireworks skyward along with metals that produce brilliant colors.

In 2020, Davenport, Des Moines and Muscatine recorded fine particle levels exceeding national standards on the Fourth. Des Moines exceeded the standard again the following day. Fine particle levels stayed below national standards on days surrounding the Fourth of July in 2021.  Learn more about fine particles (PM2.5)  and how fireworks displays can affect sensitive populations.

Those unable to avoid areas of dense smoke should limit outdoor activity and contact their health care provider if experiencing difficulty breathing.

2. Protect family and friends from burns

Second, while fireworks and celebrations go together, remember fireworks, even sparklers, can cause serious burns, eye injuries and hearing loss. The Iowa Department of Public Health encourages families to make sure an adult supervises fireworks and keeps young children from playing with or igniting them. They also recommend wearing earplugs to protect against hearing loss.

Keep fireworks pointed away from you and others when igniting them, and back up quickly after lighting. If fireworks don’t ignite or burn fully, don’t try to relight them or pick them up. Keep a bucket of water or hose on hand to respond to a fire or mishap.

Check for more safety tips from the Consumer Product and Safety Commission. Check with local authorities for restrictions on shooting fireworks inside city limits. Note that fireworks are prohibited in state parks -- only sparklers are allowed. 

3. Don’t risk a fire

Third, play it safe if dry conditions prevail at your location. Shooting off fireworks is no fun if they ignite a fire, burning lawns or nearby fields. It’s also smart to check the State Fire Marshal’s website at  https://dps.iowa.gov/divisions/state-fire-marshal/burn-bans for any countywide burn bans. According to the State Fire Marshal Division, municipalities and citizens are allowed to shoot fireworks despite a countywide burn ban. However, if fireworks are determined to start a fire while a burn ban is in effect, responsible persons could be charged.

“Last year, there were numerous fires statewide in dumpsters and in private trash receptacles. In some cases, these fires caused larger structures, such as apartment buildings and homes, to also catch on fire,” says State Fire Marshal Dan Wood. “The public needs to make sure that whatever packaging is left over is extinguished. We recommend proper disposal of used fireworks or packaging by dousing them in water. Let them sit for 10 to 15 minutes to make sure flames are out.”

If fireworks are allowed, place your launchpad on a hard, flat spot such as bare dirt or concrete. Avoid areas with trees, grass or buildings that might catch fire. For more consumer safety information from the State Fire Marshal Division, visit “Make Sure Your Fourth Rules” web page.

4. Store and dispose of fireworks safely

Finally, play it safe and dispose of your unused fireworks carefully. Safe storage and disposal protects you, your family and your waste haulers. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has fireworks guidelines for businesses.

DNR Derelict Building Grant Program awards grants to rural communities

DES MOINES – The DNR Derelict Building Grant Program awarded seven grants to six small, rural Iowa communities to help deconstruct or renovate abandoned structures, remove asbestos, and limit construction and demolition materials going to the landfill. 

The DNR Derelict Building Grant Program was instituted by statute to help rural communities with populations of 5,000 or less remove environmental hazards, improve community appearance and minimize costs by recycling and reusing building materials through deconstruction or renovation of abandoned, derelict buildings.

DBGP funding is awarded annually on a competitive basis with cash matches required. Applications for the next funding round will be due on Feb. 24, 2023. 

The following projects will receive a total of $400,000 as reimbursement grants:

City of Carson, Pottawattamie County — $69,891 to abate asbestos and deconstruct an old commercial building at 119 Broadway St. City plans to redevelop the space into a new daycare center.

City of Carson, Pottawattamie County — $66,884 to abate asbestos and deconstruct an old commercial building at 121 Broadway St. City plans to redevelop the space into a new daycare center.

City of Corydon, Wayne County — $43,200 to abate asbestos and deconstruct an old commercial building. City plans to redevelop the space into a pocket park for citizens to enjoy.

City of Griswold, Cass County — $94,625 to abate asbestos and deconstruct an old commercial building. City plans to redevelop the space into a new daycare center.

City of Hopkinton, Delaware County — $22,225 to abate asbestos and deconstruct an old commercial building. City plans to redevelop the space into a new medical clinic.

City of Mapleton, Monona County - $22,900 to abate asbestos and deconstruct an old commercial building. City plans to have a new space for commercial redevelopment.

City of Sac City, Sac County — $80,275 to abate asbestos and deconstruct an old commercial building. City plans to develop the area into a trail head and green space for farmer’s market.

For more information about the grant program, application forms and resources, visit: www.iowadnr.gov/Environment/LandStewardship/WasteManagement/DerelictBuildingProgram.aspx.

Air Quality permits under review

DES MOINES – The DNR Air Quality Bureau has the following draft permits up for review. The permits help protect Iowans’ health and air quality. DNR’s permitting staff review each permit application to ensure facilities comply with state and federal air quality requirements. We encourage public comments on draft permits, providing help on how to make effective comments. Submit written comments to the assigned permit writer before 4:30 p.m. on the last day of the comment period. DNR considers public comments before finalizing the permits.

Title V Operating Permits

Title V Operating permits are reviewed and re-issued every five years. Facilities with a Title V permit have the potential to emit large amounts of air pollutants compared to other facilities. The five-year reviews are a federal requirement and ensure adequate monitoring is included in the permit. The DNR plans to issue Title V Operating Permits for the following facilities.  Find permit details at www.iowadnr.gov/titlev-draft.

Palo Alto County
CDI, LLC – 305 Nerem Dr. South, Forest City
The application was submitted to operate their existing motor home painting facility. The public comment period ends July 30. 

Construction Permits

DNR engineers review and issue construction permits to facilities before they build new or modify existing sources of air pollution. The public may review the following air quality construction permits available online at www.iowadnr.gov/airpermitsearch OR through the EASY Air Public Inquiry Portal and then click the Public Notice tab.

Black Hawk County
John Deere Foundry – 2000 Westfield Ave., Waterloo.
Project No. 22-203, Amendment of the PSD construction permit associated with the Sand Handling System (EP-75) to reflect the replacement of the control device; the new stack characteristics; and changes to the particulate matter hourly emissions rates due to the increase in air flow. The public comment period ends July 29. 

DNR enforcement actions

DES MOINES – DNR staff work with individuals, businesses and communities to help them protect our natural resources by complying with state and federal laws. This approach is very effective. In the few cases where compliance cannot be achieved, the DNR issues enforcement actions. The following list summarizes recent enforcement actions. Find the entire, original orders on DNR’s website at www.iowadnr.gov/EnforcementActions.

Consent Orders
A consent order is issued as an alternative to issuing an administrative order. A consent order indicates that the DNR has voluntarily entered into a legally enforceable agreement with the other party.

Floyd County
Benjamin Martin
Submit a written plan of silage runoff management; immediately implement said plan upon approval; and pay a $3,000 administrative penalty.