Are fireworks legal in Florida? What to know before setting them off for 4th of July

Samantha Neely, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida
·4 min read

The Fourth of July holiday is less than two weeks away, so it's pretty much to time to bust out the barbecues, send out the invites and, for many, start buying fireworks.

As many prepare to fire off bottle rockets and firecrackers by the hundreds for the nation's 248 birthday bash, it's important to keep safety in mind. In 2022, at least 11 people died and an estimated 10,200 were injured in incidents involving fireworks, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Here's what Florida's laws surrounding fireworks look like, as well as how to keep yourself safe before, during and after lighting them up.

What day is July 4th, 2024? Is it a federal holiday?

Hundreds of spectators lined New Haven Avenue in downtown Melbourne for the city's annual Fourth of July parade.
Hundreds of spectators lined New Haven Avenue in downtown Melbourne for the city's annual Fourth of July parade.

The July 4 holiday falls on a Thursday this year. It is one of the 11 federal holidays in the U.S.

See all federal holidays:

  • New Year’s Day - Jan. 1

  • Martin Luther King’s Birthday - 3rd Monday in January

  • Washington’s Birthday - 3rd Monday in February

  • Memorial Day - last Monday in May

  • Juneteenth National Independence Day - June 19

  • Independence Day - July 4

  • Labor Day - 1st Monday in September

  • Indigenous People's Day - 2nd Monday in October

  • Veterans’ Day - Nov. 11

  • Thanksgiving Day - 4th Thursday in November

  • Christmas Day - Dec. 25

Are fireworks legal in Florida?

Noisy or projectile fireworks are normally illegal in Florida. However, a 2020 Florida law established three fireworks holidays when they are allowed: New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and Independence Day.

On the three “designated holidays,” people 18 and older can set off store-bought fireworks without signing a waiver that the fireworks are being used "solely and exclusively in frightening birds from agricultural works and fish hatcheries."

Also check with your local city's ordinances, as rules can vary. If you live in an HOA community, make sure to double check if using fireworks is permitted.

Want to read more? See Florida statutes.

What fireworks are allowed during the three holidays?

Dylan Truesdell, 9, of Palm City, plays with a sparkler during the City of Stuart's “Red, White and Blue in Uniform” Fourth of July Celebration on Monday, July 4, 2022, in downtown Stuart. The event celebrated our nations independence and honored the courage and commitment of our first responders and featured live music and a fireworks display over the St. Lucie River.

  • Fireworks permitted: Devices approved and listed by the state fire marshal which emit a shower of sparks upon burning, do not contain any explosive compounds, do not detonate or explode, are handheld or ground-based, cannot propel themselves through the air, and contain no more than 100 grams of the chemical compound that produces sparks upon burning; snakes, smoke devices, trick noisemakers, party poppers, booby traps, snappers, trick match.

  • Fireworks prohibited: Firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, Roman candles, Daygo bombs, and any fireworks containing explosive or flammable compounds

How old do I need to be to purchase fireworks?

The purchaser needs to be at least 18 years old.

How to stay safe while using fireworks

Thousands watched from the Southbank of the St. Johns River around Friendship Park as the city of Jacksonville put on its annual 4th of July fireworks display over the river in downtown Jacksonville in 2010.
Thousands watched from the Southbank of the St. Johns River around Friendship Park as the city of Jacksonville put on its annual 4th of July fireworks display over the river in downtown Jacksonville in 2010.

Here are six ways to stay safe while celebrating:

  • Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks, including sparklers.

  • Keep a fire extinguisher, a bucket of water, or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishaps.

  • Light only one item at a time and never attempt to re-light a "dud." Soak them with water and throw them away.

  • Do not use unwrapped items or items that may have been tampered with.

  • Use sparklers and other fireworks on a flat, hard surface. Do not light them on grass.

  • Only purchase fireworks from licensed vendors.

How can I get rid of my used and unused fireworks after July 4th?

Fireworks should be thrown out as trash. Whether they are used or unused, do not place fireworks or any part of them into your recycling container. As for what steps to take:

  • Put used fireworks in a bucket of water overnight as they can still be burning on the inside long after the sparks have stopped. Remove them from the water and put them into a bag inside your garbage can.

  • For unused fireworks, completely submerge them in a large bucket of water and soak them until thoroughly saturated. Experts say this may take 15 minutes for small fireworks or as long as overnight for larger ones. Double-wrap the completely soaked fireworks in plastic wrap or two plastic bags so they do not dry out, then place the double-bagged fireworks in a larger trash bag and put them out with your household trash.

Contributing: Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY Network-Florida

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Fourth of July 2024: When, what to know about Florida fireworks laws