ST. LOUIS — According to the National Retail Federation, 87% of Americans plan to celebrate Independence Day this year, with 44% of those people planning to ring in the holiday with fireworks displays or other community celebrations.
For those who plan to light up the night with their own fireworks displays, you should know that laws regarding fireworks vary by where you live.
Fireworks regulations
Missouri:
Vendors in Missouri can sell fireworks from June 20 to July 10, but even though it is legal to buy them, some Missouri counties and cities have their own laws when it comes to setting off fireworks.
City of St. Louis
The City Emergency Management Agency, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, St. Louis Fire Department, and St. Louis Department of Health are reminding residents that shooting off fireworks in the city is illegal and dangerous.
"There just isn't a safe way to discharge consumer fireworks," Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson said in a statement.
"Celebratory gunfire is also illegal and poses a danger to everyone. What goes up, must come down," Police Commissioner Robert Tracy said in a statement.
St. Louis County
Selling, buying or using fireworks is prohibited in St. Louis County unless you have a permit that was acquired 10 business days before the proposed display.
St. Charles County
In St. Charles County, regulations vary by municipality. Some cities allow fireworks to be set off during set times.
- St. Peters - Residents are not allowed to discharge fireworks.
- St. Charles City - Noon to 11 p.m. July 3-4. Those 18 and under must have adult supervision to discharge non-rocket, non-missile or aerial fireworks that don't contain a stick or fin.
- O'Fallon - Noon to 11 p.m. July 3-4. Those 16 and under must have adult supervision from a person over 21 years old.
- Wentzville - Noon to 11 p.m. July 3-4. Those 16 and under must have adult supervision to discharge non-rocket, non-missile or aerial fireworks that don't contain a stick or fin.
- Lake St. Louis - Noon to 10:30 p.m. July 3-4. Those 17 and under must have adult supervision to discharge fireworks that do not contain a stick or fin.
- Unincorporated St. Charles County - 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 2-5. Those 15 and under must have adult supervision.
- Dardenne Prairie - 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 2-5. Those 15 and under must have adult supervision.
- Weldon Spring - Noon to 11 p.m. July 2-6. Those 15 and under must have adult supervision.
- New Melle - Noon to 11 p.m. June 28 to July 6. Those 15 and under must have adult supervision.
Franklin County
In Franklin County, regulations vary by municipality. Some cities allow fireworks to be set off during set times.
- New Haven - 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 4 and 10 a.m. to midnight July 5-6.
- Pacific - Fireworks are prohibited unless a permit is issued by the Board of Aldermen.
- St. Clair - 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 3-5.
- Sullivan - Fireworks are prohibited unless a permit is issued by the Board of Aldermen.
- Union - 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 4.
- Washington - Recreational fireworks are prohibited, but the city council may authorize the discharge of fireworks upon special request.
Jefferson County
In Jefferson County, regulations vary by municipality. Some cities allow fireworks to be set off during set times.
- Arnold - Noon to 10 p.m. June 25 through July 5.
- Byrnes Mill - Noon to 10 p.m. July 1-5.
- Crystal City - 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. July 4 and July 6.
- De Soto - It's unlawful for any person to use, shoot, set off, burn, explode or fire off any fireworks, firecrackers, bombs, rockets, Roman candles or other fireworks or explosive devices of any kind within the city unless authorized by a permit.
- Fenton - Recreational fireworks are prohibited.
- Festus - 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 4.
- Herculaneum - 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 1-7.
- Hillsboro - Noon to 10:30 p.m. July 4 and July 6.
- Imperial - Noon to 10 p.m. June 25-30; noon to 11 p.m. July 1-3; noon to midnight July 4; and noon to 10 p.m. on July 5.
- Pevely - 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 4.
Illinois:
Only non-aerial and non-explosive fireworks are allowed in Illinois. "Novelty effects" that are allowed include:
- Smoke of glow worm pellets.
- Smoke devices.
- Trick noisemakers like "party poppers," "booby traps," "snappers," "trick matches," "cigarette loads" and "auto burglar alarms."
- Sparklers.
- Toy pistols, toy canes, toy guns or other devices with paper or plastic cups containing 16 milligrams or less of explosive compound and are constructed so the hand cannot come into contact with the cap when in place for the explosion.
- Toy pistol paper or plastic caps that contain less than 13 milligrams of explosive mixture.
Hand-held fireworks, including firecrackers, Roman candles, and bottle rockets, are not approved for sale or use in Illinois.
The Illinois Explosives Act requires that anyone who purchases, possesses, uses, transfers, stores or disposes of explosives, including display fireworks, have an explosives license and explosives storage certificate issued by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Hand-held fireworks, including firecrackers, Roman candles, and bottle rockets, are not approved for sale or use in Illinois.
Fireworks safety tips
Fireworks aren't simply fun, glowing spectacles. They can also be dangerous.
Last year, 8 people died due to fireworks and 9,700 people were treated in emergency rooms for fireworks injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Injuries were highest among those 15 to 19, followed by children ages 5 to 9.
For those who choose to set off fireworks this Fourth of July, the CPSC offered the following tips to do so safely:
- Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks or sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees—hot enough to melt some metals.
- Make sure fireworks are legal in your area, and only purchase and set off fireworks that are labeled for consumer use.
- Never use fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
- Light fireworks one at a time and then move back quickly.
- Never try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Instead, soak them with water and throw them away.
- Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse, and move to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
- Never point or throw fireworks at anyone.
- After fireworks complete their burning, douse them with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding them to prevent a trash fire.
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