Have a safe and considerate Fourth of July

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Fireworks will light up the night sky on the Fourth of July. And likely, the days leading up to the holiday.

Fireworks sales began last week. And the firecrackers began firing off soon after. The remaining days to shoot them off include:

• In Blair, fireworks are allowed from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. July 2 and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 3 and 4;

• In Arlington from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. through July 3 and 8 a.m. to midnight July 4;

• In Fort Calhoun from 8 a.m. to midnight July 2-4 and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 5.

But before you decide to set off fireworks, please be respectful and considerate to your neighbors.

Pyrotechnics can be fun — when done safely — but for some it can be an annual ordeal. That's why there are ordinances on when fireworks can be used.

Fireworks, particularly for veterans who deal with post-traumatic stress disorder, can be stressful.

Dogs also can experience noise anxiety when the blooms and flashing lights begin. Some become so scared they have to be sedated.

So before lighting up those fountains, sparklers, rockets or Roman candles, consider the proximity to your neighbors. Consider the time of night and how often you're firing off those fireworks. No one wants to be that guy that calls in their neighbors for shooting off fireworks at all hours of the night.

Follow the ordinances, and above all, be safe.