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SOUTH SALT LAKE -- Fire marshals from around the state gathered with the fire prevention board Tuesday morning to decide how to regulate the sale of "cake" fireworks that can shoot 150 feet in the air.
These large fireworks that explode in the air are now legal to sell and use in Utah for 30 days surrounding the July holidays after the legislature passed HB22.
As the fire marshals debated how the fireworks should be sold, many talked about how nervous they were to have these fireworks shooting in the air this summer.
The meeting lasted for several hours as they went over many different rules and regulations. They all stressed the importance of getting the public to realize what these fireworks can do, before they buy them.
"Look at the regulations. Just the liability of these new fireworks is a concern," said Murray City Fire Marshal Phil Roberts. "Boy, just please error on the side of safety when using them and purchasing them. When you purchase them, know what you are buying."
One change the group felt strongly about was making sure people knew these cake fireworks are not what people have been used to buying.
The marshals adopted a rule that says the cake fireworks that shoot high in the air and explode will have to be sold behind a counter or some sort of barrier at the store to separate them from the regular fireworks. That way, they say, a person will have to hand you the firework and let you know about the risks that come with them.
Another big concern expressed at the meeting is that the fireworks can be sold for 30 days instead of just a few days before and after the 4th and 24th of July.
On top of that, all this rain is causing the brush to grow tall, and it should all be dried out just in time for these new large fireworks to go on sale.
Email: rjeppesen@ksl.com
