Celebrating New Year's Day with Fireworks? Michigan Law Allows It

This New Year's Day may be one of the noisiest on record for Michigan, thanks to revisions in state fireworks laws approved in 2012.

The start of the new year is included on the list of national holidays for which the use of these colorful explosives is permitted by state law.

Under Michigan's controversial fireworks law, citizens can ignite, discharge and use consumer fireworks the day before, day of and day after a national holiday, including New Year's Day. The list of approved fireworks now includes "projectiles," such as bottle rockets and Roman Candles.

The 10 national holidays recognized by the law include:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King Day
• President's Day or Washington's Birthday
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Columbus Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

Many state residents and city leaders—including in St. Clair Shores—have expressed frustration with the Fireworks Safety Act of 2011. St. Clair Shores passed an amended fireworks ordinance which which limits the ignition, discharge and use of consumer fireworks except for the day of, before and after a national holiday

The new ordinance, also established general restrictions on the use of the fireworks including:

• Not allowing the ignition of fireworks within 20 feet of an open flame;
• Restriction of excessive use of fireworks for more than 20 minutes;
• No ignition, launch or discharge of fireworks with 50 feet of a residential building or vehicle;
• Fireworks can not be discharged from public property including schools, streets and medians.

The state law was designed to increase revenue to the state and encourage citizens to buy consumer fireworks in Michigan rather than in neighboring states.