Tips for legal, safe fireworks on Independence Day

Published 1:46 pm Monday, June 13, 2016

DALTON, Ga. — A year ago, the Georgia Legislature legalized most forms of fireworks. This year, lawmakers placed some new restrictions on how those fireworks can be used. And local officials want to make sure residents are aware of the rules before the Independence Day holiday comes around.

House Bill 727, which the Legislature approved earlier this year, says that fireworks can only be ignited between the hours of 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. on most days.

The exceptions are on Jan. 1, July 3, July 4 and Dec. 31, when they may be used until 11:59 p.m. Also on Jan. 1, they can be used between midnight and 1 a.m.

That means that this Independence Day it will be illegal to shoot fireworks off at midnight and after. Those caught and convicted could face a fine of up to $1,000 and one year in jail.

Cohutta resident Bill Whitaker says he is glad to hear that.

“A couple of years ago, somebody in my neighborhood was shooting them off at all hours,” he said. “I could barely hear them, but they were driving my dog nuts, and she kept us up.”

Dalton Police Department spokesman Bruce Frazier said officers will be on patrol as usual “so our officers will begin issuing citations or warnings for violations” after midnight if they catch someone violating the law.

Murray County Sheriff Gary Langford said deputies will respond to any complaints and warn or cite people violating the law.

“But this is really something that we haven’t had a lot of complaints about in the past,” he said.

Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office Maj. John Gibson said deputies will also respond to calls of illegal use of fireworks.

“But we really have more complaints about firearms discharging than fireworks,” he said. “Unfortunately, some people just don’t utilize good judgment during the holidays and fire firearms into the air. Those bullets come down, and we’ve had instances where they have penetrated roofs. It can be very dangerous.”

HB 727 also expanded the places where it is illegal to use fireworks. Previously, it was illegal to ignite them within 100 yards of an electric plant, electric substation, water treatment facility, wastewater treatment plant, any place where gasoline or other fuel is stored for retail sale, any place where gasoline or other flammable fuels are refined or produced and jails and prisons.

Those restrictions remain, but now it is also illegal to ignite fireworks on roads and highways and within 100 yards of nursing homes and hospitals.

Dalton Fire Chief Bruce Satterfield said those additions were requested by Georgia fire chiefs.

Satterfield says he recommends people attend a public fireworks show rather than shoot them off themselves.

“Fireworks can be dangerous. People can get injured when they explode prematurely,” he said.

He said fireworks can ignite brush fires, and that flying fireworks can land on buildings and ignite structural fires.

The Georgia Underwriting Association, an insurance industry group, has some suggestions for those using fireworks:

• Never allow young children to light or handle fireworks.

• Use only legal products.

• Look for labels and read the instructions.

• Always keep a hose and a bucket of water nearby in case of emergencies.

• Use outdoors, only in clear areas, away from houses, other buildings and dry grass. Use only on flat hard surfaces.

• Do not try to re-light sparklers that do not ignite. Wait 15 to 20 minutes, then douse and soak them with water and throw them away.