Booming business

Nine-month-old Shyanne Guthrie, a third-generation May who is the granddaughter of Louis May, looks over the fireworks selection at May Brothers indoor fireworks stand with the help of her mother, Ashley Guthrie. With the Fourth of July quickly approaching, fireworks sales are on the rise.
(Photo by Michelle Felter, Staff)

michellef@standard-democrat.com

SIKESTON -- With the Fourth of July just days away, the fireworks sale business is picking up.

And to give customers an even better selection, May Brothers Fireworks has expanded its indoor setup so it can offer more products.

"They just keep coming up with more and more varieties every year," said Louis May, co-owner. "We have a lot of neat stuff."

"This year, there is a lot of neon color," noted May. That includes smoke balls, sparklers and displays. There is even a firecracker with color available for purchase this year, he noted.

Safety is always key when it comes to operating fireworks, and May noted there is a new product sold this year to keep it even safer for those putting on bigger shows.

May also noted that there are a lot of "common sense" things people can do to ensure safety. Those include keeping the fireworks away from where they will be shot, having a water source nearby, and storing fireworks on a flat surface before they are ignited.

Local towns have different rules regarding when and if fireworks can be used in their city limits. It's a good idea to check with the local city hall before shooting any.

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