Full Notification

While most fireworks remain illegal in New York State, a recent law has authorized counties and cities outside of New York City to legalize the sparklers and certain sparkling devices for those who are over 18 years of age. Washington County legalized sparklers and certain sparkling devices for those over 18 years of age effective March 31, 2015.

So, what is legal now? Here are the specifications: Sparkling Devices are ground based or handheld devices that produce a shower of colored sparks and or a colored flame, audible crackling or whistling noise and smoke. The law limits the type, size and construction of Sparkling Devices and requires that these devices must be hand held or mounted on a base or spike and be limited in sizes that range from 1 to 500 grams of pyrotechnic composition.

Per the law, It is a crime to provide a sparkler to a person less than 18 years of age, even in the jurisdictions where sparkling devices have been legalized.

Sales of Sparkling Devices will be legal in those approved counties only June 1 through July 5 and December 26 through January 2.

All other types of consumer fireworks, including firecrackers, bottle rockets, roman candles, spinners and aerial devices, remain illegal statewide.

For more information about Sparkling Devices and the New York State Laws pertaining to them, the NYS DHSES Office of Fire Prevention and Control has a web page dedicated to such here: http://www.dhses.ny.gov/ofpc/news/sparklingdevices.cfm

May the Fourth be with you... Safely!