BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Independence-Day events can carry on with a bang so long as that means fireworks and not open burning, according to officials.

Bay Minette Fire Chief Phil Bryars said during a telephone interview that the city has not banned the individual use or public display of fireworks. Only open burns are prohibited at this time, but he encourages residents to use caution as fireworks still cause sparks, he said.

“Keep a bucket of water or a water hose nearby,” he said. “If in doubt, call 9-1-1. We’d rather come to a small fire than a large fire.”

Bryars asked that children be supervised and that fireworks be shot outside of enclosed areas. He added that fireworks, most commonly bottle rockets, should not be used as weapons.

According to Bryars, some locations are more suitable than others for shooting fireworks.

“Do it in an open area away from structures and bushes,” he said.

The Bay Minette Police Department follows municipal codes with regard to permitted firework sale, use and violation penalties, according to Bay Minette Police Department Chief Michael Rowland's secretary Pam Thompson. A list of those codes can be found at www.municode.com.

City laws on fireworks state that purchases may only be made June 24-July 4 and Dec. 15 - Jan. 1, according to the website.

According to Bay Minette city law, fireworks can be discharged July 1-5 and Dec. 15 - Jan. 3 from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. with an extension on Jan. 1 until 1 a.m.

Bay Minette residents may not shoot fireworks on someone else’s property without prior written consent from the property owner. Plus, the debris from the fireworks must be cleaned up within 24 hours of discharge, the city municipal code website stated.

Penalties for violating Bay Minette fireworks laws include a fine of $250 for each offense, plus jail time or hard labor for the city for up to 30 days.

“That’s what we actually follow,” Thompson said during a telephone interview.

For more information, call the Bay Minette Fire Department at 580-2552.