The Taylor Fire Department wants Taylor residents to remember this Fourth of July that it is illegal to pop fireworks within city limits.
Adopted in 1998, a city ordinance prevents residents from buying, selling or shooting fireworks inside of Taylor. Violators of the ordinance can expect to face up to a $500 fine.
“We understand what the holiday is about,” Fire Marshal Robert Copeland said. “But you have to be safe and conscious of your actions as well.”
Copeland said the ordinance essentially considers anything that emits light or sound as a firework, which includes sparklers and roman candles.
The city takes the firework ban seriously because it believes firework accidents are preventable, Copeland said. The law is issued for general safety and fire prevention purposes.
Given the fact that many fireworks are aerial based, fireworks launched on a resident’s private property can end up in a different place entirely.
“You don’t know where that firework is going to end up and what the end result is going to be,” Copeland said. “With it being dry, it could start a major grass fire.”
While fireworks are banned in Taylor and in all Williamson County cities, there are buffer zones in the counties where city ordinances do not apply. With this in mind, the Williamson County Fire Marshal Special Operations Division posted tips for county residents to consider when using fireworks.
Before shooting the fireworks, the county recommends only buying fireworks from a trusted source, storing the fireworks in a cool, dry place and having water handy in case of a malfunction.
When residents shoot the fireworks, the county advises reading the directions carefully, igniting fireworks in a direction clear of people or buildings and lighting only one firework at a time.
Brandy Murchinson, who works at the Big Tex Fireworks stand just outside of Taylor, says the fireworks show that’s put on by the Graham D. Luhn American Legion Post 39 lowers the firework sales the stand would receive otherwise.
Murchinson said people bought fireworks at a higher rate when COVID caused the city to cancel its fireworks show. She expects business to pick up in the days leading up to the holiday.
As for safety, Big Tex owns a sign that tells its customers that popping fireworks inside of city limits is against the law. Although not required by law, Murchinson says she will also give firework purchasers safety tips.
“It’s some common sense things,” Murchinson said. “For example, don’t shoot near a horse farm or hay.”
