Fourth of July is always a fun holiday. Spending time with family and friends, BBQs, and of course, fireworks. Usually the go-to is to go all the way to Pennsylvania to get Roman candles, sparklers, smoke balls, finales and any other type of fireworks that you can fit into your car. On the way back, you make sure to go the speed limit and not get stopped by a cop, otherwise, your fireworks will be confiscated and you will be fined.

Unfortunately, as all of us know, fireworks are illegal in New York. If you get stopped by a cop on your way back from Pennsylvania and they see your fireworks, you could get a fine of up to $250. If you've spent more than $50 on a firework (such as a finale or a Roman candle), it's considered a Class B misdemeanor and the fine could be up to $500. A little ridiculous to say the least.

Why are they illegal anyway?

Some say that "NYC was a main concern" or "The way the law was written was so that the counties had to opt in, provided that the bigger cities weren’t necessarily forced to have consumer fireworks” (Inverse.com). In the 1930s and 1940s, the U.S banned fireworks all together because the production was so badly regulated that people were essentially playing with bombs. In 2000, Connecticut made a bold move and made sparklers and fountains legal. Then, other states followed. New York recently loosened up on the laws of fireworks. Now, in 31 counties, fireworks that stay on the ground (a.k.a. no missiles or big bangs) are legal.

What's illegal, what's not?

Ground-based or hand-held sparklers, sparkling fountains, smoking devices, snakes, confetti-filled party poppers and paper-wrapped snappers are legal. Sparklers with metal sticks are not legal in New York because they stay hot for a long time after burning out. Sparklers sold in New York have wooden sticks so they don't retain heat.

Any device that shoots up in the air, or sends out a projectile, such as Roman candles, true firecrackers and bottle rockets are still illegal.

Why shouldn't fireworks be illegal in NY?

No matter what, people will find a way to get "illegal" fireworks into their backyard for the Fourth of July. Almost all of my friends, including myself, take trips to PA to go to Keystone Fireworks with their PyroCard to get ample supply of what will be needed for fourth festivities. When Connecticut made sparklers and fountains legal, they noticed that the number of firework injuries did not increase; the number actually dropped as the state loosened their ban. It's understandable to keep fireworks illegal in NYC. However, if you live in upstate NY, there really isn't much that you could do to harm buildings, people, or vehicles (I mean, unless you're really aiming the fireworks at buildings, cars, and people, but I highly doubt you'll be doing that on the Fourth of July...).

Safety tips for fireworks use

So, since some of you reading this will probably still be shooting off some fireworks for festivities, here's some safety tips:

1. Read the cautionary labels.

2. A responsible adult should supervise all firework activities.

3. Never give fireworks to children.

4. Alcohol and fireworks do not mix!

5. Wear safety glasses.

6. Light one firework at a time and then quickly move away.

7. Never place any part of your body over a device when lighting.

8. Use fireworks outdoors in a clear area; away from buildings and vehicles.

9. Never relight a dud. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.

10. Always have a bucket of water and charged water hose nearby.

11. Never carry fireworks in your pocket or shoot them into metal or glass containers.

12. Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.

13. Dispose of used fireworks by wetting them down and placing them in a metal trash can away from any building or combustible materials until the next day.

Happy Fourth!