The City of Douglas Fire Department would like to encourage citizens to practice safety with fireworks and would like to make the public aware of a few facts about the fireworks law.
The State of Georgia allows for consumer fireworks to be sold statewide. A state license to sell fireworks can be issued to applicants after the applicant meets specific insurance and criminal background requirements and pays the state license fee. Authorized fireworks include firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, Roman candles, sparklers and other combustibles and explosives of like construction. Persons must be at least 18 years of age to purchase, possess, transport, ignite or explode fireworks.
According to 2018 Georgia legislation, fireworks can be used during the hours of 10 am and 9 pm. However, on the last Saturday and Sunday of May for Memorial Day, July 3 and 4, Labor Day, and on December 31 (extended to 1:00 am on January 1), fireworks can be used during an extended time from 9 p.m.-11:59 p.m. It is illegal to use any fireworks indoors. It is unlawful to ignite fireworks within or on a roadway, city/county property or within 100 yards of a hospital or nursing home. For information about fireworks in Georgia, please visit https://georgia.gov/blog/2018-06-28/fireworks-know-law-use-caution-and-be-courteous.
“We would like our citizens to enjoy their holiday and remember to be safe,” says Fire Chief Larry Wilson. “Fireworks can be dangerous and deadly if used improperly.”
Celebrate safely by following some of these safety tips that are offered by the American Pyrotechnics Safety & Education Foundation. Always have a sober adult in charge and never give fireworks to young children, event sparklers. Only buy legal consumer fireworks from a licensed store, stand or tent. Fireworks typically have bright colored labels with the manufacturer’s name, directions and warnings. Read and follow directions on the labels. Never carry a firework in your pocket or shoot fireworks from a metal or glass container. Keep spectators at a safe distance. Always wear safety glasses when igniting fireworks. Don’t aim or throw fireworks at another person. Never place any part of your body directly over a firework device. Only use fireworks outside, away from buildings and on a flat level, hard, fireproof surface that is free from debris. Have a working garden hose or bucket of water handy. Light only one firework at a time and never approach or re-ignite a firework that doesn’t light the first time. When finished, allow used firework to stand for at least 20 minutes, submerge in water, drain, place in a plastic bag and dispose outside in a covered trash can.