The 4th of July is fast approaching, and do-it-yourself firework enthusiasts are preparing to put on their own homemade show.
High-flying colorful bursts of red, white and blue are an intrinsic part of any Fourth of July celebration, but terrifying your family, friends and neighbors with the ghastly sight of severe injuries or sparking a fire shouldn’t be.
Are fireworks legal in Florida? Yes, well, some are at least.
There’s a plethora of roadside tents that have popped up across Polk County that are selling fireworks, but first let’s take a look at what’s legal and a reminder on how to stay safe.
Are fireworks legal in Florida?
Yes, fireworks are legal in Florida on specific holidays.
A 2020 Florida Law established three firework appropriate holidays when individuals are allowed to fire off projectiles and light spinners for a colorful display, subject to local laws.
Some of the smaller fireworks commonly known as sparklers, fountains, ground spinners, snakes, glow worms and party poppers, are legal all year, according to the Florida Sheriffs Association.
Fireworks: Where can I buy them?
It’s hard to drive through Polk County without coming across a roadside booth selling fireworks.
Here’s a list of tents from major retailers BG’s Fireworks, Galaxy Fireworks or TNT Fireworks:
Several big-box retailers such as Walmart and supermarkets including Publix have displays with sparklers and firework kits available for purchase.
Firework safety tips
Fireworks are legal to set off at home, but the National Safety Council offers these tips to help keep individuals safe while having a blast:
The National Safety Council also warns that using popular sparklers can be dangerous. The popular hand-held sparklers burn hot enough to melt some metals and can quickly ignite clothing.
Children 15 and younger made up more than 30% of all firework-related injuries, according to the 2023 Annual Fireworks Report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
C. A. Bridges of the USA Today Network-Florida contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Are you a DIY fireworks enthusiast? What’s legal in Florida and where to buy them in Polk
Reporting by Sara-Megan Walsh, Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
