As we get closer to the Fourth of July, residents in Washington County are reminded to check their city’s ordinance when it comes to discharging fireworks.

While Washington residents can purchase fireworks within the city, it is unlawful to discharge them within city limits. Fireworks are also banned in Kalona, Riverside, and Wellman, and usage is considered a simple misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $250.

For the City of Wayland, use of first-class consumer fireworks is not permitted. This includes aerial shell kits and reloadable tubes, chasers, helicopters and aerial spinners, firecrackers, mine and shell devices, missile-type rockets, roman candles, and sky and bottle rockets. Fireworks that are allowed include cone and cylindrical fountains, flitter sparklers, ground and handheld devices, ground spinners, illuminating torches, toy smoke devices, wheels, wire or dipped sparklers.

Keota’s city code states that no one under the age of 18 shall discharge a consumer firework without parental supervision. Fireworks shall only be discharged on property that the person owns or where consent has been given, and shall not be discharged by someone who appears to be intoxicated or under the influence of a drug or narcotic. They are only allowed to be discharged from the hours of 9 a.m.-11 p.m. July 1-7.