CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Cities and towns across North Carolina and South Carolina are celebrating the Fourth of July with fireworks extravaganzas and other festivities, but what if you want to celebrate at home?
If you're planning an at-home 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.
THE SOURCES
- North Carolina law
- South Carolina law
North Carolina fireworks laws
Let's start with what's legal: Sparklers, glow worms or snakes, smoke bombs, and trick noisemakers are all 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.
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.
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 what's allowed before you get reported.
Age limits: Anyone 16 and older can purchase fireworks in South Carolina.
Contact Meghan Bragg at mbragg@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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