VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Which Fireworks are Legal in New York?
Ryan Bell: The Fourth of July is rapidly approaching, and as always, New York will bring some sizzle… but maybe not as much bang as other states. That’s because here in New York, aerial fireworks are illegal for consumer use. Joe Speciale owns two pop up firework shops in Utica. he says despite the restrictions, fireworks under the category of sparkling devices are still permitted.
Joe Speciale: So, sparkling devices are your sparklers, fountains, up to 500g. Then novelty stuff like smoke balls, snappers, things like that. Anything that’s basically non-aerial.
Ryan Bell: New York eased its laws surrounding fireworks in 2015, allowing for individuals 18 years and older to buy ground based or handheld devices that produce a shower of colored sparks, a colored flame, audible crackling or whistling noise and smoke. One person selling those sparkling devices is Jon Baris, who runs a pop up firework tent near the Walmart in Camillus. He says it’s not uncommon for people from New York to travel to Pennsylvania to get aerial fireworks where they are legal.
Jon Baris: You know, they’re watching the borders this time of year all the time. I do hear stories of people that go down there all the time. Of course, I deal with people that come in here all the time, and that’s specifically only what they’re looking for.
Ryan Bell: But no matter what type of fireworks you have this fourth, both say it’s vital to enjoy them safely and responsibly.
Joe Speciale: It’s fire. That’s why they call them fireworks, right? So, you don’t want to put them next to anything that’s flammable. Whether it be trees, shrubs, car, house, shed. Also have a bucket of water, or a hose handy and maintain a safe distance.
Jon Baris: We recommend wetting the area if you’re going to be in an area that hasn’t have rain for a while or is very dry. And then, right on all the packages it tells you that as soon as they’re done, you should have a little bit of water so that the package itself doesn’t ignite.
Ryan Bell: Public firework shows are also an option this Fourth of July. For a list of where you can find displays across Onondaga County, visit nccnewsonline.com.
SYRACUSE N.Y. (NCC News) – With the Fourth of July on the horizon, many fireworks remain illegal in New York.
Aerial fireworks are banned throughout the state, but several counties allow for sparkling devices instead. Included in that category are sparklers, fountains up to 500g, smoke balls and snappers, according to Joe Speciale, owner of Speciale Fireworks in Utica.
“It started in 2015, New York state changed their law on fireworks. They actually adopted a new code and changed the law. That allowed for what’s called sparkling devices. So fireworks are still illegal, but they changed the penal code and they put in this new sparkling devices,” said Speciale.
New York state law defines sparkling devices as “Ground based or handheld devices that produce a shower of colored sparks or a colored flame, audible crackling or whistling noise and smoke.” They can be purchased by individuals 18 years and older during two windows.
- June 1 – July 5
- December 26 – January 2
Some counties in New York have banned all forms of fireworks, including sparkling devices.
- Albany
- Bronx
- Columbia
- Kings
- Nassau
- New York
- Queens
- Richmond
- Schenectady
- Suffolk
- Westchester
Jon Baris is the owner and operator of a TNT Fireworks tent near the Walmart in Camillus. Despite the ban of aerial fireworks throughout the state, he says it is not uncommon to see residents cross the Pennsylvania border to get them.
“They’re watching the borders this time of year all the time. I do hear stories of people that go down there all the time. Of course, I deal with people that come in here… and that’s specifically only what they’re looking for,” said Baris.
Regardless of what type of fireworks people buy this holiday, both Speciale and Baris advocate for safe use of all devices.
“It’s fire. That’s why they call them fireworks, right? So, you don’t want to put them next to anything that’s flammable. Whether it be trees, shrubs, car, house, shed. Also, have a bucket of water, or a hose handy and maintain a safe distance,” said Speciale.
Public firework displays are another great option for viewing. NCC News has put together a brief list of shows in Onondaga County.
Public Firework Shows – Onondaga County
- Veterans Memorial Park/Camillus
- July 1
- NBT Bank Stadium/Syracuse
- July 2 & July 3
- Oneida River/Cicero
- July 3
- Village of Manlius
- July 4
- Paper Mill Island/Baldwinsville
- July 4
- East Syracuse Elementary
- July 6