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Flash! Bang! Screech! Boom! If you haven't been in bed early every night this past week with earplugs on, you're likely familiar with the new sounds of Independence Day. As part of a new state law that allows consumers to buy airborne fireworks without leaving Michigan, municipalities cannot regulate fireworks use on federal holidays – such as July 4 – or the day right before and after. Legislators passed the change to generate sales tax revenue and registration fees. Ferndale City Council then passed an ordinance that prohibits the use of fireworks except on the days already allowed by the state law. "Now people can shoot much bigger ones than Michigan ever allowed to be sold," said Ferndale Fire Chief Kevin Sullivan. That's a big fire …
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Where to find fireworks shows, how to avoid road construction, what's open and closed, and more.
Whether you are staying close to home or traveling up north for the holiday weekend, here's some information you'll want to know: Around Ferndale: On Independence Day, the National Weather Service forecast calls for a chance of showers and thunderstorms with a high near 99 degrees and heat index values as high as 104 degrees. Up North: Highs in the mid-80s with plenty of sunshine for the holiday. MDOT suspends many road projects around the state: Check to see if construction barrels will make your trip a slow, frustrating go or if MDOT is clearing the way for your holiday weekend drive. What’s opened and closed in Ferndale: Check this list before you head out the door for the bank, city office or library. Oakland County fireworks shows: …
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A Patch photographer gives advice on capturing the sparkle in the sky.
Capturing fireworks on camera is a challenge that can be mastered easily with the right equipment and settings on your camera. Here is a short tutorial to help you capture the rockets' red glare this Fourth of July. Equipment needed:
Fireworks can be very dangerous if not handled properly. Here are a few tips to help keep you safe.
When used as directed, fireworks can help make special occasions like the Fourth of July fun and memorable. If used improperly, however, they can cause serious burns, fires, traumatic amputations and even death. Who's most at risk for injury from fireworks? According to the National Fire Protection Association, it's kids ages 5-14. "Each Fourth of July, thousands of people, most often children and teens, are injured while using consumer fireworks," the organization's website reads. Children should never handle fireworks - including sparklers. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the tip of a sparkler burns at a temperature of about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals and cause third degree burns. The American Pyrotechnics …
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Before you head out the door tomorrow, check here to find out what's open and closed on Independence Day.
City offices City Hall: Ferndale City Hall, including the clerk's office, city manager's office and finance department, will be closed Wednesday. City Clerk's office: Will be closed but many applications and forms you'd normally get from the office are available on the city website. 43rd District Court: Closed on Wednesday, but you can pay traffic or parking tickets online. Trash collection: Trash collection will be delayed one day next week because the Fourth of July falls on a weekday. Emergency: Call 911 for police or fire emergencies. For any nonemergency, call the Ferndale Police Department at 248-541-3650 or the Ferndale Fire Department at 248-546-2510. Around town Post office: The U.S. Postal Service branch at 22681 Woodward will …
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Residents can legally use fireworks July 3-5, but even small fireworks carry serious risks, fire officials say.
The nightly sound of fireworks whistling and popping is a sure sign that it's almost the Fourth of July - but fire officials in Ferndale are warning residents that fireworks are not only illegal to use except for a limited number of days but that they can also be very dangerous. As part of a new state law that allows consumers to buy airborne fireworks without leaving Michigan, municipalities cannot regulate fireworks use on federal holidays – such as July 4 – or the day right before and after. Legislators passed the change, which Gov. Rick Snyder signed last Dec. 13, to generate sales tax revenue and registration fees. Sellers pay $1,000 annually for a permanent site or $600 for a tent or other seasonal, outdoor location. Earlier this …
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8:57 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
I think the Ferndale Fire Chief makes some valid points about fire safety, the use of aerials and where they land. Some go well beyond their own yards and run the risk of fire. As the Chief points out, some are more containable than others such as roman candles which can be directed to stay within their own yard. With adequate precautions - a hose, fire extinguisher and water bucket any fire can … more ›
Hundreds of local sellers peddle bottle rockets, Roman candles and other dazzlers for summer revelry.
Get set for a loud and lively fireworks season as dozens of new sales outlets take advantage of a relaxed state law in effect this year. Now that consumers can buy airborne fireworks without leaving Michigan, more than 200 retail sales permits have been issued to temporary sites and stores around Metro Detroit, MLive Media Group reports. Macomb tops the list with 86 sellers, followed by Oakland (61), Wayne (70) and Livingston (38). Some have colorful names – such as Thunderking in Rochester Hills, Red Dragon in Shelby Township and TNT Fireworks in Royal Oak. Others are generic tents, sprouting like carnivals as a sign of the season. Churches benefit from sales at sites in Royal Oak and White Lake. It became legal this year to sell bottle …
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Fireworks, road work, weather -- that's pretty much it, right?
So, obviously, the first thing is fireworks, because nothing says freedom like colorful explosives. Where do you go? Well, you go right here: What's next? How about weather. What's the forecast look like for the trip to wherever? After a quick search on Weather.com, this is what we found: Ferndale: Bay City: Tawas: Traverse City: Mackinaw City: Grand Rapids: Grand Haven: What's next? Road construction, obviously! Here's a list of all the road construction scheduled around Michigan. It's a lot of info, but easy to navigate: After you've watched fireworks, looked at the weather, found out what roads to avoid, what's next? We'd have to say: What kind of fireworks can you buy in Michigan to celebrate the Fourth with your family? We have the …
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A handy guide to state regulations and tips to make sure you don't get burnt or ticketed this Fourth of July.
The fireworks are to the Fourth of July what evergreen trees are to Christmas: an absolute must–but also a safety hazard if not used properly. The Michigan Bureau of Fire Services warns that though beautiful, fireworks can be dangerous. "Fireworks can quickly turn a Fourth of July celebration into a tragedy when children and adults are injured while using fireworks,” said Michigan State Fire Marshal Ronald R. Farr. “For all the fun and excitement of fireworks, they account for an increasingly large number of injuries and fires that are preventable when proper and strict safety measures are taken.” Farr recommends attending professional fireworks displays, rather than trying to create them at home. But if you must, here’s a sampling of some…
Ferndale Resident
10:35 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012
If people are so keen on lighting fireworks, I'll be happy to hand them the bill for carpet cleaning I need after my dog gets scared and uses the bathroom all over the house. more ›