National Safety Council, Nebraska works each year to educate the community on the dangers associated with fireworks.
The safest policy is to leave the fireworks shows to the professionals. However, those wishing to light fireworks need to follow Nebraska law and city ordinances. Additionally, safety measures should be taken to reduce the risk of injuries.
Fireworks by the numbers
- Fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires per year, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and 16,900 outside and other fires. These fires caused an average of three deaths, 40 civilian injuries, and an average of $43 million in direct property damage.
- In 2017, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 12,900 people for fireworks related injuries; 54% of those injuries were to the extremities and 36% were to the head. Children younger than 15 years of age accounted for more than one-third (36%) of the estimated 2017 injuries. Source: NFPA’s Research, Data & Analytics Division
Click Here for More Information from NFPA
Local Firework Laws
Nebraska State Law
State law only allows for fireworks to be sold between June 24 and July 5 or between December 28 and January 1. Local jurisdictions have the authority to be more restrictive. Always check with your local jurisdiction to find out what restrictions, if any, they may have on the dates fireworks may be sold.
A variety of fireworks may be sold across Nebraska; however, there are some restrictions. Fireworks sold at Nebraska stands must be legal in Nebraska. It is against the law to transport illegal fireworks into the state. For a full list of illegal fireworks, visit Nebraska State Fire Marshal site.
Consider adding: Consumer fireworks may only be possessed, used or discharged by a person 16 years of age or older; provided, that a person 12 years of age or older and less than 16 years of age may possess, use or discharge consumer fireworks, but only when in the immediate presence of and under the direct supervision of an adult 19 years of age or older.
City Ordinances
Omaha
Fireworks in Omaha city limits are legally allowed to be fired by residents 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. June 25th through July 4th. and December 28 through December 30, inclusive, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. on those days, and from 8:00 a.m. on December 31 through 1:00 a.m. on January 1.
Papillion
In Papillion, Consumer fireworks may not be sold at retail or discharged except from June 25 through July 4 and only during the hours of 8 a.m. through 10 p.m. except that on July 4 consumer fireworks may be discharged and sold from 8 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. of each year. Consumer fireworks may also be sold at retail or discharged from December 29 through December 31 and only during the hours of 8 a.m. through 10 p.m. except that on December 31 consumer fireworks may be discharged and sold from 8 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. of each year. Source: https://www.papillion.org/301/City-Ordinances
La Vista
La Vista residents may use fireworks between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. June 25th through July 2nd. On July 3rd and 4th, fireworks may be discharged 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Source: http://www.cityoflavista.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/445
Bellevue
According to Bellevue's ordinance, fireworks are permissible June 25th through July 3rd 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on July 4th from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. and 9:00pm on December 31 to 12:30am on January 1
Although the above are general rules on when fireworks are allowed, local jurisdictions can be more restrictive. Source: https://www.bellevue.net/information/faq?QuestionID=39&AFMID=592