As the Fourth of July celebration nears, fireworks sales are underway, but only “sparkling devices” can legally be purchased from retailers or at temporary pop-up tents in the Southern Tier.
These devices can be purchased at locations in the Southern Tier including TNT Fireworks in Vestal and Painted Post, American Fireworks Display in Oxford, Proximity Pyrotechnics in Spencer, Fireworks Foundry in Penn Yan.
Some counties, like the five in New York City and Albany, Columbia, Nassau, Schenectady, Suffold and Westchester, have prohibited the use and sale of consumer fireworks.
Are fireworks legal in New York?
In New York, only those fireworks known as sparkling devices are allowed for sale and use, according to the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.
Sparkling devices are ground-based or handheld devices that produce a shower of color sparks and or a colored flame, audible crackling or whistling noise and smoke, according to state Homeland Security. If ground based, they must be mounted on a base or spike.
Regardless, sparkling devices that produce a shower of colored sparks or a colored flame, audible crackling or whistling noise and smoke, must have no more than 500 grams of pyrotechnic composition.
All other types of consumer fireworks including firecrackers, bottle rockets, roman candles, spinner and aerial devices are illegal statewide.
“Every one of us enjoys the excitement that fireworks can bring to our celebrations, but all fireworks can be dangerous,” said New York State Fire Administrator Francis Nerney. “Even the seemingly safe sparkler can burn as hot as 2000 degrees. If you plan to use legal sparkling devices, please do it safely. Better yet, leave fireworks to the professionals and relax and enjoy the show.”
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