Can I buy and use fireworks?
When used carelessly or by people under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fireworks can quickly turn a celebration into a disaster. In 2005, there were five deaths in the United States from fireworks and 10,800 injuries associated with fireworks.*
Before handling or buying fireworks, find out what′s legal in your city or town. The police or fire department can give you specific information. In most states, fireworks are subject to restrictions.
Photo by Irene (Flickr)
In California, for example, you must be eighteen to use or possess dangerous fireworks, including firecrackers, skyrockets, ground spinners, roman candles, sparklers longer than ten inches, any exploding device, and many others. “Safe and sane” fireworks (which include anything not classified as “dangerous”) may be used if you′re sixteen.
*U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, Center of Disease Control & Prevention.
This post was written by Tom Jacobs. Judge Tom is the founder and moderator of AsktheJudge.info. He is a retired juvenile judge and spent 23 years on the bench. He has written several books for lawyers and judges as well as teens and parents including the recently published 'Teen Cyberbullying Investigated' (Free Spirit Publishing). When he's not answering teens' questions, Judge Tom can be found hiking, traveling and reading.
