To avoid fires, burns and other injuries this holiday weekend, Milwaukee Fire Department Chief Aaron Lipski has a simple message for Milwaukeeans: Do not use fireworks.
City ordinance prohibits the sale, possession and use of fireworks in Milwaukee. The Milwaukee Police Department can issue fines ranging from $500 to $1,000 upon conviction, and those who fail to pay may be jailed for up to 40 days.
Lipski said his department is reviewing emergency response protocol for hand and face trauma from exploding fireworks, as well as preparing for a number of rubbish or structure fires “resulting from the careless use of fireworks.”
‘Common sense and safety‘
`While some residents see launching illegal fireworks as part of an annual tradition to celebrate America’s independence with neighbors on their block, others have safety and noise concerns.
“Too many times sparks have caused fires to homes,” said South Side resident Wanda Sears. “It’s great to celebrate, but common sense and safety are sadly not a priority for some people.”
Catherine Lyons, who lives near Bay View, said what she dislikes is neighbors setting off fireworks in the streets.
“They aren’t careful and could potentially hurt someone or cause damage to property,” Lyons said.
Miguel Flores sees fireworks as a great American tradition.
“I think it’s cool of neighbors to get together and showcase a fireworks show for the neighborhood; adults lighting the fireworks while the kids watch safely,” he said.
Lipski said his department has not seen any fires it can definitively state were fireworks-related so far this summer.
Milwaukee had seven fireworks-related fires on July 4, 2025, according to data Lipski shared with NNS last year.
Injury data
There were 226 emergency department visits for fireworks-related injuries in 2025, 58% occurring during the first week of July, according to preliminary data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
At the national level last year, the U.S. Consumer Protection Safety Commission reported 15 fireworks-related deaths and estimated that fireworks injured 13,000 people
Burns are the most commonly reported injury. Hands and fingers are reported to be the most commonly injured body parts, followed by the head, face and ears.
Safe celebration tips
For those who still want to enjoy the spectacle of a fireworks show, the city sponsors several neighborhood celebrations, including at Jackson Park, Lincoln Park and Washington Park.
“Go to one of the many parks with your family and enjoy a stress-free night out watching a trained professional launch really impressive fireworks,” Lipski said.
An estimated 1,300 emergency room-treated injuries in 2025 involved sparklers, according to the U.S. Consumer Protection Safety Commission.
Children’s Wisconsin recommends using glow sticks with kids as an alternative to sparklers, which remain hot after the sparks die.
For pets disturbed by loud noises, the Milwaukee Police Department suggests moving pets inside, closing windows and curtains to reduce noise and flashing lights, and turning on a TV, radio or relaxing music at normal volume.
If you want to report the use of fireworks as a nuisance in your neighborhood, you can call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 414-933-4444.
If you have questions regarding fireworks, you can call the Safety Division at 414-935-7990.
Here’s your Fourth of July event guide for Milwaukee!
Meredith Melland is the neighborhoods reporter for the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service and a corps member of Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities. Report for America plays no role in editorial decisions in the NNS newsroom.
Jonathan Aguilar is a visual journalist at Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service who is supported through a partnership between CatchLight Local and Report for America.
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