City Urges Safe Use of Fireworks and Proper Disposal of Debris

Published on June 26, 2025

Health Department offers free litter prevention yard signs for July 4 holiday

The City of Lincoln reminds community members to safely use fireworks in compliance with City ordinances, and to properly dispose of fireworks debris.

Lincoln Municipal Code 9.44.080 allows the sale and use of permissible fireworks only from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 3, and from 8 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. July 4, each year.

To report fireworks violations, you must have an address or description of the property before calling the Lincoln Police Department (LPD) non-emergency number, 402-441-6000. Call 911 only for emergencies. Community members may monitor fireworks-related calls received by LPD by visiting the daily call summary at lincoln.ne.gov/LPDSummary. Fireworks calls are listed in the “Disturbance” category.

Lincoln Municipal Code 9.44.100 states it shall be unlawful for any person to discharge, fire, launch, or throw any fireworks or any object which explodes upon contact with another object:

from or into any motor vehicle
onto any street, highway, or sidewalk
at or near any person
into or upon any building
into or at any group of persons
into or upon the premises of another person

Lincoln Fire and Rescue urges families to leave fireworks use to experienced, responsible adults. Other safety recommendations include the following:

Fireworks are allowed only on private property, and must not be directed towards other premises, people, or public areas.
Do not let children light fireworks. Provide children glow sticks and avoid sparklers, which can reach 1,200 degrees.
Those lighting fireworks should not wear loose clothing.
Avoid lighting fireworks near leaves, dry grass, or other flammable materials.
Make sure people are positioned a safe distance away from where fireworks are being lit.
If a fireworks device does not explode, do not attempt to relight it.
Have a bucket of water nearby to make sure used fireworks are extinguished.
Keep a fire extinguisher or water hose ready nearby.

Keep Lincoln and Lancaster County Beautiful (KLLCB) and Lincoln Transportation and Utilities (LTU) encourage residents to dispose of unused fireworks and fireworks debris properly and safely following Independence Day celebrations. Residents’ efforts will help keep waste haulers and landfill staff safe from injury, protect local waterways, and improve public health.

Community members are urged to follow these recommendations for fireworks disposal:

Cooled fireworks debris must be soaked in a water-filled metal bucket or a bucket with sand and placed in regular trash for disposal. For the safety of our community and waste haulers, unexploded fireworks should not be placed in regular trash or recycling bins. They can pose a fire risk and potentially damage collection trucks and containers.
Cardboard tubes and casings used for fireworks are not recyclable and must be treated as garbage and sent to the landfill. Fireworks debris and containers are not allowed at City recyclables collection sites or in curbside recycling bins.
Residents can request pickup of unused or unexploded fireworks by calling the Lincoln Bureau of Fire Prevention at 402-441-7521.

Sarah Mason, KLLCB Coordinator, reminded residents that fireworks debris is litter and it is the community’s responsibility to properly dispose of debris.

“Opportunities exist to connect with other community members to pick up litter and what better way to start than by safely picking up what is in our own driveways, parkways, and streets after the July 4th holiday,” Mason said.

As part of the effort to encourage others to dispose of fireworks properly and safely, KLLCB offers free yard signs with the message “If you blow it up, clean it up. Protect our water. Prevent Litter. Clean up firework debris.” Signs are available through July 3 and can be picked up at the Health Department, 3131 “O” St., Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Signs are on the first floor near the north entrance.

Mason added that Lincoln and Lancaster County are engaged in a yearlong effort to protect public health and increase community engagement around cleaning up litter as part of the Greatest American Cleanup, a project by Keep America Beautiful and KLLCB to prepare for the 250th birthday of the United States in 2026.

KLLCB is a program of the Health Department. LTU Watershed Management assists in protecting Lincoln’s lakes and streams. Solid Waste Management assists with proper disposal. The fireworks debris prevention effort is funded in part by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy.

To learn more about taking part in The Greatest American Cleanup or other opportunities with Keep Lincoln and Lancaster County Beautiful, email kllcb@lincoln.ne.gov or call 402-441-8035.

For more information on reducing litter in the community, visit lincoln.ne.gov/CleanStreets.