The 4th of July is quickly approaching (where did June go?), which means it’s time for barbecues, picnics and, of course, Fireworks.
In fact, fireworks seem to be an American summer holiday tradition. Consumers spent $755 million on consumer fireworks (fireworks for personal use, not for large events) for the 4th of July in 2015, up $60 million from the previous year, according to the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA).
“Safety must always be the number one priority when using fireworks,” Julie Heckman, the executive director of the APA, said in an email. “It is important for individuals to know what is legal in their area and to obey local Fireworks Laws.”
To help you do just that, here are the rules and requirements for buying and using consumer fireworks in each state. (Note: Some states may have neighborhood, regional and/or park restrictions on firework use that supersede state laws. Before you use the fireworks you’ve purchased, do your research. Many localities post their own rules to their government website around this time of year. It’s also important to note that some states have separate regulations for display fireworks.)
See fireworks laws in all 50 states: