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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- The City of Ottumwa wants to remind residents that fireworks are illegal inside city limits, and also in the State of Iowa.

According to Ottumwa Public Information Office Tom Rodgers, the only type of fireworks you can possess inside city limits include sparklers, snakes and toy caps.

If you are caught with any other type of firework, especially at the 4^th of July celebration in Greater Ottumwa Park, you could be fined.

“In the City of Ottumwa, it is illegal to possess fireworks, so if there is a fireworks complaint, the police will respond and a citation could be issued and the fireworks would be confiscated. Also, at the Greater Ottumwa Park at the 4^th of July event, I advise people not to bring fireworks. If they are caught with fireworks, they will be confiscated and a $250 citation may be issued,” said Deputy Chief Cory Benge of the Ottumwa Fire Department.

Benge says that the department does have safety procedures that they are more than willing to teach the public if they want to stop by the main fire station.

“Here at the fire department we offer some safety pamphlets. You can come in and pick them up, even bring in the kids and have them talk to the firefighters about fireworks. Feel more than happy to stop in and the firefighters can talk with you about how to safely dispose of fireworks and that type of thing,” said Benge.