TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — With the Fourth of July coming up, it’s always important to remember safety.
Many people choose to celebrate the holiday by shooting fireworks, however, there are many important steps to take to ensure no one gets hurt and all laws are followed.
According to Troy Fire Marshal Brandy Cox, fireworks are illegal to shoot inside Troy city limits. Violation of this ordinance could lead to fines up to $500 per city ordinance.
According to Troy’s Code of Ordinances, it is “unlawful for any person to discharge or fire, or cause to be discharged or fired, within the city limits, any firecrackers, torpedoes, bombs, or other fireworks of an explosive nature, without the specific written consent and approval of the city chief of police, or his designee, and the city fire chief, or his designee. This shall only apply within the city limits and shall not apply in the police jurisdiction.”
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Despite fireworks being illegal to shoot fireworks within city limits, they are legal in the Pike County.
According to the American Fireworks Standards Laboratory there were approximately 14,700 fireworks-related injuries in 2024. An estimated 5% of those injuries were related to illegally made or modified fireworks.
According to Cox, common fireworks-related injures include burns, eye injuries from projectiles and broken bones. Another common source of burn injuries are sparklers.
While sparklers serve as a non-explosive alternative to traditional fireworks, they burn around 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends not letting small children handle sparklers due to the burn risk.
With all of the risks in mind, here are some important tips to have a safe and fun Fourth of July:
— Always shoot fireworks in an open area, not toward people to structures
— Never consume drugs or alcohol while shooting fireworks
— Never allow children to light or play with fireworks of any kind
— Never make homemade fireworks or modify store bought fireworks
— Always follow local laws and ordinances
For those who wish to watch fireworks without having to shoot their own, the city of Troy will be hosting its annual fireworks show on the Fourth of July.
