GREENFIELD — Twirling a bright red and yellow sign and wearing a patriotic headbands, Savannah Baird knows how to spark the interest of drivers to stop by her family’s fireworks tent in Greenfield.
The 11-year-old has been welcoming customers and bagging fireworks in the Big Lots parking lot along State Road 9 in Greenfield each Fourth of July season over the past several years. TNT Fireworks, led by Savannah’s mother, Toni Hughes, as well as Dan and Belinda Hawkins, is one of several fireworks businesses in Greenfield, mainly stationed inside tents and storefronts on the north side of town.
Fireworks sales tend to heat up in the days leading up to Fourth of July weekend celebrations. As people spend their money on the pyrotechnics, shopkeepers and local officials hope safety and courtesy is also on the minds of residents before they light their bottle rockets, black snakes and Roman candles.
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Click here to purchase photos from this galleryHughes said she reminds patrons to not hold fireworks while lighting them, urging people to grab a few “punks,” a burning match that keeps the flame an arm’s length apart from the person.
“It’s a lot of, ‘Don’t do that,’” Hughes said about correcting customers on how to handle fireworks.
The Hughes and Hawkins families have been selling fireworks for the past 14 years at various tents in the region, including Greenwood and Noblesville. What started as a church fundraiser for missions, Hughes said, has morphed into a way to pay for their own children’s missionary and college pursuits.
A few storefronts down from Kroger in Greenfield, store manager Bobby Clark oversees Lit Firework. The business has called the space home for the past three Independence Days. Clark said he reminds customers to review the safety poster on the wall, and he gives people tips on how to handle fireworks.
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security and the Greenfield Fire Department provide the following fireworks safety tips:
Fireworks may only be used or possessed by individuals who are 18 or older unless an adult is present and responsible at the location of possession or use.
Use extreme caution when lighting fireworks in the wind. Keep spectators where the wind is blowing smoke and debris away from them.
Never smoke or consume alcohol when lighting fireworks.
Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Steer clear of others setting off fireworks. They can backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction.
Do not attempt to make or alter any fireworks or firework devices.
Always have a fire extinguisher or water supply, such as a hose or bucket of water, nearby.
Only light one firework at a time and never attempt to re-light or fix a “dud” firework.
Be considerate of individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder and other types of medical conditions. The noise can cause severe stress and reaction in neighbors.
Think about pets. Animals have sensitive ears and can be very frightened or stressed by firework sounds.
According to the Hancock County 911 Center, residents can shoot off fireworks on July Fourth from 10 a.m. to midnight. Today, as well as from July 5-9, fireworks are allowed between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. in Greenfield, New Palestine and unincorporated areas of Hancock County; and from 5 p.m. until two hours after sunset, around 11:15 p.m., in Fortville and McCordsville.
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Hancock County residents can shoot off fireworks from 10 a.m. to midnight on the Fourth of July.
On July 3 and from July 5-9, the following fireworks times apply:
Greenfield: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Fortville: 5 p.m. until 2 hours after sunset, approximately 11:15 p.m.
New Palestine: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Unincorporated Hancock County: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
McCordsville: 5 p.m. until 2 hours after sunset, approximately 11:15 p.m.
The Hancock County 911 Center reminds residents to not call 911 to report fireworks during the allowed times; and to instead call 417-477-4400 to report fireworks outside of allowed times or if someone is shooting fireworks in an unsafe manner. Call 911 only if it is an emergency.
Source: Hancock County 911 Center
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According to the Indiana State Department of Health’s 2017 Indiana Firework-Related Injury Report:
- 77% of all reported firework injuries occurred from July 1-7; and 39.5% of all firework injuries occurred on July 4.
- More than one-third of all reported firework-related injuries were to hands or fingers.
- Eye injuries accounted for 11.7% of the total number of injuries.
- 49% of the injuries were caused by firecrackers, rockets and sparklers.
- Firework use on private property accounted for 61.3% of reported cases.
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