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Up to $1,000 fine, jail time
could result from illegal fireworks
Putting a little sparkle in New
Year's Eve may be one way to light up the night, but the festivity still has to
stay within the law.
For years, the use of any fireworks
by consumers in Georgia was illegal. But early this year, the Georgia General
Assembly passed legislation allowing the use of sparklers and other
non-explosive fireworks in the state.
With the glow of sparklers still a
rather new phenomenon in the Peach State, some potential revelers have a bit of
a learning curve on what pyrotechnics are still a bust.
Anything that sparkles, stays on the
ground and contains less than 75 grams of chemical compound is legal, said Sgt.
Kevin Jones, public affairs officer for the Brunswick Police Department.
In addition to non-explosive and
non-aerial sparkling items, such products as snappers, glow worms and sparkling
fountains that contain 75 grams or less of chemical compound can be used. Items
with multiple tubes are limited to a combined 200 grams of chemical compound to
remain legal.
The sale and use of firecrackers,
Roman candles, skyrockets, torpedoes, wire and wood sparklers containing more
than 100 grams of explosive chemical compound and any bombs is still prohibited
in Georgia.
"You always have some incidents of
firecrackers or such going off, especially for New Year's," said Jones. "But we
try to have some leniency; though, if we get a second call, we will confiscate
your fireworks and you can be charged."
Should that happen, a person could
face up to $1,000 in fines and/or up to one year in jail.
It is illegal to sell sparklers to
anyone under the age of 18. Adults 18 years old or older may buy sparklers for
an underage person to use.
Because sparklers can cause serious
burns and eye injuries, safety officials caution that any use of sparklers be
under careful supervision, especially involving children.
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