Illegal fireworks are a serious problem in Wichita. But, last year, police and fire crews only handed out about a dozen tickets for illegal fireworks.

A new task force is taking a close look at the problem to see if anything can be done to stop the problem.

If you're found with any illegal fireworks, Wichita police and fire crews will confiscate them and later blow them up.

Part of the reason there are dozens and dozens of calls about illegal fireworks over the fourth, ignorance.

Police say most people don't know what's legal and what's not. But here's a good rule, if it shoots above your head or about six feet in the air, it's illegal to blow it up in Wichita. Some smaller, novelty fireworks are allowed, but not firecrackers.

Wichita outlawed most fireworks because of repeated fires. But, thousands break that law every fourth of July, and Wichita police and fire crews do not hand out tickets most of the time.

Police say they respond to so many serious calls on the fourth, writing tickets is not a priority.

Answers from the task force include, not writing tickets or increasing fines, but educating, by getting the word out.

Another problem mentioned: other cities in the area sell fireworks that are illegal in Wichita, and people will likely continue to bring those fireworks into the city limits.