Use Caution With Fireworks This July 4th Holiday

Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Ralph Hudgens urges parents to protect their children — and themselves — from the dangers of fireworks during the July 4th holiday.

The sale and individual use of any type of firework, except certain kinds of sparklers, is illegal in Georgia.  The penalties are a maximum fine of up to $1,000 and/or a sentence of up to one year in jail.

Professional fireworks displays are permitted provided they are licensed through the local judge of probate court.

“Even legal fireworks should only be used with close adult supervision,” Hudgens said.   “For the sake of safety and seeing a spectacular display, your best bet is to attend a professional show.”

Fireworks that are allowed in Georgia include wire or wood sparklers of 100 grams or less of mixture per item, other sparkling items which are non-explosive and nonaerial and contain 75 grams or less of chemical compound per tube.

Also allowed are snake and glow worms; trick noise makers which include paper streamers, party poppers, string poppers, snappers, and drop pops.

The Commissioner said sparklers are legal in Georgia, but should be used properly and with adult supervision.

But even so, many Georgians in our area will cross state lines to buy rockets and fireworks, to bring back over the state line to set off tonight.

Hudgens said around 8,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms every year for fireworks-related injuries, and most of those incidents involve children.

He added that in a typical year, two-thirds to three-fourths of all fireworks injuries occur during the four-week period surrounding Independence Day.

On the Fourth of July itself, fireworks usually start more fires nationwide than all other causes combined.