GRILLING SAFETY:
More than three-quarters of U.S. adults have used a grill—yet grilling sparks more than 10,000
home fires on average each year. To avoid this, the Red Cross offers these grilling safety tips:
• Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use. Don’t add charcoal starter fluid when
coals have already been ignited.
• Never grill indoors—not in the house, camper, tent, or any enclosed area.
• Make sure everyone, including pets, stays away from the grill.
• Keep the grill out in the open and away from the house, deck, tree branches, or anything
that could catch fire.
• Use the long-handled tools made for cooking on the grill to help stay safe.
• Don’t leave perishable food out in the sun.
FIREWORK SAFETY:
If you are setting off fireworks at home, follow these safety steps to help keep your community safe:
• Choose a location away from buildings and trees.
• Always follow the instructions on the packaging.
• Never give fireworks to small children, and never throw or point fireworks
toward people, animals, vehicles, structures, or flammable materials.
• Be sure your spectators, including children and pets, stay well back.
• Keep a supply of water or a fire extinguisher at hand. If you live in an area that’s experiencing a drought, consider canceling the show this year—a stray spark that lands on dry grass or leaves can lead to a wild fire.
• Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
• Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight a “dud.”
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
FIREWORK ORDINANCE:
The Harper Woods Department of Public Safety encourages the safe and legal use of fireworks, but when doing so, please be aware of our City ordinances. The City of Harper Woods enacts this ordinance regulating the ignition, discharge, and use of consumer fireworks, including, but not limited to, an ordinance prescribing the hours of the day or night during which a
person may ignite, discharge, or use consumer fireworks. The ignition, discharge, or use of consumer fireworks shall be permitted as follows:
• After 11:00 am.
• December 31 until 1:00 am on January 1.
• The Saturday and Sunday immediately preceding Memorial Day until 11:45 pm on each of those days.
• June 29 to July 4 until 11:45 pm on each of those days.
• July 5, if that date is a Friday or Saturday, until 11:45 pm.
• The Saturday and Sunday immediately preceding Labor Day until 11:45 pm on each of those days. The penalty for violation of section (2) of this ordinance shall subject the violator to a civil fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for each violation of the ordinance. In accordance with MCL 28.451, five hundred dollars ($500.00) of the fine collected under the ordinance shall be remitted to the local law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing the ordinance.
