Cape Girardeau officials remind residents of fireworks rules ahead of the 4th of July

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI)— As Independence Day draws closer, Cape Girardeau officials are reminding residents of the city’s fireworks rules.

The city of Cape Girardeau allows residents to use legal fireworks, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. throughout July 3. On the Fourth of July, fireworks can be set off until midnight.

“Our officers are going to be out in through the Fourth of July holiday,” said Bobby Newton, Cape Girardeau’s public information officer. “We’ve got extra officers working strictly fireworks patrol, gunshot responses, things like that.”

Newton said celebratory gunfire remains illegal and dangerous. “Don’t do it. It’s illegal. We will prosecute those and you will be held accountable,” he said. “What goes up must come down, whether it lands on a building, a vehicle, or a person.”

Residents are also urged to check their surroundings and keep water handy.

Newton encourages watering dry grass or leaves before lighting fireworks and soaking used fireworks in a bucket of water to prevent fires.

Anyone with questions about what’s allowed can review the city’s fireworks ordinance here.