Cherokee Fire Informs Residents Of New Fireworks Law

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A new Georgia will go into effect to allow for the sale, purchase and use of consumer fireworks just in time for the July 4th holiday.

House Bill 110 covers any small fireworks which are intended to cause a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, and deflagration, detonation that includes blank cartridges, firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, bombs, sparklers, and other combustibles of like construction including Roman candles. Refer to Chapter 10

Specifically, the law notes:

• Fireworks can only be sold or used by persons 18 years of age or older.
• Fireworks cannot be used indoors.
• Fireworks can be used daily between the hours of 10 a.m. and midnight. On Jan. 1, July 3, July 4 and Dec. 31, fireworks can be used from 10 a.m. through 2 a.m.
• Fireworks cannot be exploded within 100 yards of a nuclear power facility or a gas station, or a facility that refines, processes, or blends gasoline.

If you enjoy watching fireworks, the Cherokee County Fire Marshal’s Office recommends you attend one of the many professional shows put on at various locations around the county each July 4 holiday.

However, if you want to try your hand at creating your own fireworks, be sure to follow the recommendations below by the Consumer Product Safety Commission:

• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks. Only those 18 and older can legally use fireworks in Georgia.
• Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
• Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don’t realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals.
• Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
• Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
• After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.

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