Fireworks Safety Tips For New Year's Eve in Milton

MILTON, GA -- With New Year's Eve just a few days away, the city of Milton is strongly urging its residents to practice fire safety and "show courtesy" to your four-legged neighbors.

The city on Monday released an advisory featuring everything you need to know before you decide to break out the fireworks to ring in 2017.

With the passage of House Bill 727 this year, state law restricts fireworks usage in some ways, including:

• No fireworks after 9 p.m. (exceptions are made for Dec. 31 and July 3 and 4, when fireworks can be set off until 11:59 p.m., and for Jan. 1, when they can be set off until 1 a.m.);
• No fireworks in/on public roads or highways;
• No fireworks within 100 yards of a(n): gas station or fuel tank; electric substation; any county or city park, historic site, recreational area, or other property, unless the county or city has granted a special use permit; and within 100 yards of a hospital, nursing home, or other health care facility.
• No fireworks while under the influence of alcohol or any drug to the extent that it is unsafe to use consumer fireworks.

Milton also wants to inform residents about the danger fireworks can pose to horses, dogs and cats who reside in the city limits.

"Aside from the fear many animals have of the loud sounds, horses fear the flashing and booming in close proximity and these displays send most horses into panic, potentially leading to serious injuries or even death," the city adds.

Since fences, hay, bedding and dry grass are highly flammable items found on many farms, a heads up to your neighboring horse owner about your plans to celebrate with fireworks would be "helpful and appreciated," the city states.

Of course, children must be supervised around fireworks, and citizens should always keep a fire extinguisher or water source nearby during use.

Remember, embers can burn in packaging even after the fireworks are done, and used fireworks in a trash container can smolder unseen for several hours. Used fireworks should be watered down and stored away from homes or any flammable structures/materials after the festivities end. This will allow them to cool down and help prevent a late night tragedy.

Milton police and fire code personnel are authorized to enforce these regulations in the interest of public safety.

For more information on fireworks or for any fire and safety related concern, please contact the Fire Department at 678-242-2541 during normal business hours or by email fire.marshal@cityfomiltonga.us.

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