I’m a complete scaredy-cat when it comes to fireworks. Sparklers are about as good as it gets for me, but I prefer to leave it to the professionals.
Thanks to my complete lack of courage when it comes to pyrotechnics, I never run into any problems with the law. But if you’re a little bit more adventurous, make sure you check out your state’s laws so you don’t get in trouble tonight.
Each state’s fire marshal sets the regulations for what is and isn’t legal, but if a major retailer sells it, it’s probably legal.
In Massachusetts and New Jersey, all consumer fireworks are illegal. Some other states have interesting rules: In Hawaii, it’s illegal to set off fireworks within 1,000 feet of a hospital, nursing home or zoo. In Florida, fireworks are only legal if they’re sold as pest control.
Some states are more open to pyrotechnic displays than others: Texas, New Mexico and Michigan are just a few states that allow almost every kind of consumer firework, along with bombs and shells.
To see how people around the world celebrate, check out this chart with New Year’s traditions around the world.