CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Cities and towns across North Carolina and South Carolina are celebrating the new year with fireworks extravaganzas and other festivities, but what if you want to celebrate at home?
If you're planning an at-home NYE bash, you need to know the laws about fireworks before you head to the store and buy all the bottle rockets, firecrackers and smoke bombs you can afford.
It's also important to remember that fireworks are dangerous. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission report, fireworks-related injuries are up 25% over the last 15 years. There were at least nine deaths and an estimated 11,500 emergency room visits last year.
“You have to teach the kids how to do the right way, so it can be fun and enjoyable instead of just careless," Magdiel Mendoza, a North Carolina resident, said.
North Carolina fireworks laws
Let's start with what's legal: Sparklers, glow worms or snakes, smoke bombs and trick noisemakers. These are allowed statewide without any special permits.
Illegal: If it flies up in the air and explodes, including firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles, mortars, etc., then it's illegal in North Carolina.
The bottom line is the only fireworks that are legal emit sparks. They can make noise but if they fly into the air and explode, it's against the law, according to Forsyth County Sheriff's Office Lt. Chris Davenport.
“North Carolina is just more of things that are on the ground," Roger Darby, the manager at Area 51 Fireworks, in Fort Mill, said.
Violators of the state's fireworks law can face a fine or up to six months in jail.
Age limits: Children under the age of 16 cannot legally buy or use fireworks in North Carolina.
South Carolina fireworks laws
Unlike North Carolina, South Carolina's fireworks laws are pretty relaxed. There is no provision that differentiates between flying fireworks or explosives compared to sparkling devices.
Still experts encourage people to use caution.
“Use the warning labels on the side of the fireworks," Darby said. "You want to make sure you’re safe while celebrating.”
Age limits: Anyone 16 and older can purchase fireworks in South Carolina.
Fireworks are typically policed as a general noise ordinance. Several towns and counties have rules against shooting fireworks at certain times of the day. Check with your local police or sheriff's department to know before you get reported.
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