What Fireworks are Legal in Georgia and South Carolina
We’re gearing up for the annual Fourth of July celebrations next week, and it wouldn’t be the 4th without picnics, fun-in-the-sun activities and fireworks.
In addition to public fireworks demonstrations across the area, many like to have their own celebrations at home. Make sure you know what’s legal and what’s not in your area before you make your purchases.
In Georgia, fireworks that can be legally purchased in retail stores include:
- Bottle Rockets
- Sky Rockets
- Roman Candles
- Firecrackers
- Sparklers
- Smoke and Punk
- Fountains
- Missiles
- Novelties
- Crackle and Strobe
- Parachutes
- Wheels and Spinners
- Sky Flyers
- Display Shells
- Aerial Items (Cakes)
In Georgia, you must be at least 18 to purchase fireworks. There is no age requirement, however, for igniting them. It’s legal to ignite fireworks until midnight on the 4th of July. Keep in mind some private communities, including HOAs, may prohibit fireworks. They’re banned on roads and highways, near hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, gas stations, and electric plants.
In South Carolina, consumer-grade fireworks are legal and safe to light every day in most cities for those 16 and up. Fireworks are generally allowed throughout the year from 9 am until 11:30 pm, but they can be discharged on the 4th of July and New Year’s Eve until 1 am.
Fireworks that are not allowed in South Carolina include:
- M-80s
- TNT Salutes
- Small bottle rockets less than 3 inches long and 1/2 inch in diameter
- Any firecrackers containing more than 50 milligrams of pyrotechnics are prohibited by federal law
If you’ll have fireworks at your 4th of July gathering, make sure you follow basic safety procedures to avoid injuries. Wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks; maintain a safety perimeter to ensure people watching won’t get injured; keep a bucket of water and fire extinguisher near by; never try to relight a dud firework; wait 20 minutes and then soak it in water; keep pets and small children away from fireworks displays; never set off fireworks on windy days, since that can cause debris to spread and start a fire.
