FLORIDA (WSNN) – The time to celebrate Independence Day is almost here, and that means lighting up the sky with fireworks, which is legal in Florida now.
In the past it used to only be legal to buy fireworks if you signed a waiver agreeing to use them for animal purposes, to scare away wildlife.
But now, as of early April, the waiver is gone, and people are legally able to purchase fireworks on three holidays.
They include New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and the 4th of July.
Since it’s legal, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson, Claudette Bennett, says they won’t be arresting anyone for using them this year.
“I see the biggest problem that we will have, just like years in the past; we always get complaints of neighbors being unhappy that there are fireworks at all hours,” Bennett said. “So, we do hope that people who are partaking in lighting fireworks that they are respectful of the neighbors in their neighborhood and the animals in their area.”
While it is legal, Bennett says she encourages people to take safety precautions when using fireworks.
They include no drinking and lighting them, keeping the fireworks a safe distance between people, no holding a lit firework in your hand, no lighting them in dry grass, and keeping children away. More safety tips can be found on our website.