Fireworks in Novi: What's Legal and What's Safe?

The recommends that residents attend professional firework displays this weekend, rather than creating their own at home.

Though beautiful, fireworks can be dangerous, warn the Michigan Bureau of Fire Services and the Novi Fire Department.

"Fireworks can quickly turn a Fourth of July celebration into a tragedy when children and adults are injured while using fireworks,” said state Fire Marshal Ronald R. Farr in a statement. “For all the fun and excitement of fireworks, they account for an increasingly large number of injuries and fires that are preventable when proper and strict safety measures are taken.”

According to the Novi Fire Department, sparklers can reach up to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit – hot enough to melt gold. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates nearly 9,000 people across the country were treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with fireworks in 2009.

Officials know that some people simply love to have fun at home, so here are some important tips to staying out of trouble and out of the hospital this holiday.

What Fireworks are Legal

A general rule for fireworks is that if you can't buy it in Michigan, you can't use it in Michigan.

Class C fireworks are legal and do not require a permit. These include sparklers, flat paper caps, toy noise makers, flitter sparklers, cone and cylinder fountains, toy snakes and smoke devices.

Class B fireworks are prohibited in Michigan. These include firecrackers, cherry bombs, comets, torches, bottle rockets, roman candles, wheel-type devices and any type of firework that moves, explodes or shoots into the air.

M-80s, M-1000s, silver salutes and cherry bombs are federally prohibited. The manufacture, sale and receipt of these explosive devices can result in a felony and/or misdemeanor charge.

Tips for Firework Safety

When making sparks fly, there are several important safety tips to remember, according to Michigan Bureau of Fire Services and the Novi Fire Department:

• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks. Adults should always supervise fireworks activities.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Be sure other people and pets are out of range before lighting fireworks.
• Never have any portion of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Move back to a safe distance immediately after lighting.
• Only light fireworks outdoors on a flat, smooth surface at least 15 feet away from houses and flammable materials, such as dry grass or mulch.
• Never try to relight or pick up fireworks that have not fully functioned. After fireworks fully complete their functioning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding to prevent a trash fire.
• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
• Keep unused fireworks away from firing areas.

For more information, contact Novi Fire Marshal Mike Evans at 248-349-2296 or visit the Michigan Bureau of Fire Services website.