With Independence Day just around the corner, residents are gearing up to celebrate the holiday in a variety of ways, and officials are asking those who plan to celebrate with a bang to remember to practice proper firework safety.

“We want to remind everybody not to shoot fireworks near any combustible materials or in brushy or wooded areas,” Elizabethton Fire Marshal Andy Hardin said. “You need to make sure you have a good, clear fallout area. If it does fall in some brush or leaves, check to make sure there are no embers and stomp out any you find.”

Hardin also recommends making sure the fuses on the fireworks are long enough to give the person lighting them ample time to get clear of the ignition. Also, he said, make sure the space where the fireworks will be shot from is clear of any debris or obstacles to allow the person who is lighting them a clear path to back away.

When igniting fireworks with the family, Hardin said to remember to supervise children.

“Small kids don’t need to be handling fireworks,” Hardin said. “They need to have adult supervision.”

The City of Elizabethton does have a Fireworks Ordinance which is enforced through the Elizabethton Fire Department and Elizabethton Police Department.

“It mostly covers when they can be shot and when they can be sold,” Hardin said.

Under the terms of the city ordinance, fireworks can be sold within the city of Elizabethton between June 20 and July 5 for the Independence Day holiday. Those selling fireworks within the city limits are required to obtain a permit from the City of Elizabethton.

Residents of the City of Elizabethton can discharge fireworks for Independence Day from June 20 until July 5 between noon and 11 p.m.

There is no ordinance in the county regarding the discharging of fireworks.

Below are the restrictions regarding fireworks outlined in the city’s fireworks ordinance.

• No fireworks shall be ignited or discharged within 600 feet of any church, hospital, or public school, when such facilities are occupied.

• No fireworks shall be ignited or discharged between the hours of

11 p.m. and 12 p.m., except on New Year’s Eve when the hours shall be extended to 12:30 a.m. on New Year’s Day.

• Fireworks which exceed the limits of the United States Department of Transportation 1.4G as to explosive content or composition, such items being commonly referred to as “illegal ground salutes,” are expressly prohibited from shipment into, possession, sale or use within the corporate limits of the City of Elizabethton.

• No fireworks shall be ignited or discharged within 200 feet of where fireworks are stored, sold, or offered for sale.

• No fireworks shall be ignited or discharged in a motor vehicle or thrown from such motor vehicle, nor shall any person place or throw any ignited firework device into or at a motor vehicle, any person, or group of persons.

• No fireworks shall be ignited or discharged by anyone under the age of 14 unless under direct adult supervision.

• No fireworks shall be ignited or discharged by anyone under the influence of alcohol or any mind altering drug.

• No fireworks shall be discharged or ignited within the corporate limits of the City of Elizabethton except for the period from June 20 until July 5 and December 10 until January 2 of each year.

• The Fire Marshal of the City of Elizabethton shall have the authority to issue a special permit to appropriate individuals and organizations, as necessary, to allow for the discharge of fireworks at a period of time other than June 20 through July 5 and December 10 through January 2 of each year.