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Fire official urges thorough tent inspections, warns against fireworks within 300 feet
Summary
A fire-district official said inspectors reviewed 29 tent applications across Sedgwick County, outlined required tent safety checks — including secure stakes, tight straps, fire extinguishers and marked exits — and advised soaking spent fireworks overnight to reduce fire risk.
An agency official with the fire district said, “We’re out today doing tent inspections,” and described the safety checks inspectors are performing ahead of Fourth of July events. The official said tents must be anchored, have tight down straps and be equipped with fire extinguishers and no-smoking signs.
The official emphasized that inspectors look for secure stakes and properly tensioned straps and check that exits are clearly marked so the public can safely exit in an emergency. “We make sure they have fire extinguishers and no smoking signs,” the official said, and added that tents must have clear egress routes so “the public knows the proper way and path to lead out of the tent.”
The official reiterated a safety restriction for tents: there should be no fireworks discharge within 300 feet of a tent. They also advised organizers and residents to check local city rules before discharging fireworks because each city sets its own regulations.
The official said that, within the fire district’s member cities, there were 29 tent applications and that three staff members have been driving around the county to ensure those tents were inspected. On post-event cleanup, the official recommended soaking spent fireworks “in a bucket or barrel of water overnight” and keeping them away from homes.
The official closed by wishing the community a safe Fourth of July and marking the country’s 250th birthday. Residents were reminded to contact their local city for any specific rules on fireworks discharge.
