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With drunks on the road, folks being shot down and robberies, its important to put all our resources on firecrackers . I havent heard of anyone being robbed at Roman Candle point. Thank God our govt is on the job saving us from ourselves.
People celebrating the new year tonight with fireworks should keep the noise down and follow state law -- or have the fireworks confiscated, or worse.
"We will respond to all complaints," said Columbia County sheriff's Capt. Steve Morris. Warnings will be issued in most cases of a first violation.
"If we're called out a second time, then most likely citations will be issued," he said.
In all cases, the captain said fireworks will be seized.
"Under normal circumstances, that's what we would do," echoed Richmond County sheriff's Maj. Ken Autry. A second offense would usually require greater enforcement, he said.
In Georgia, the law allows sparklers, snappers, party poppers, glow worms and snakes. Firecrackers, torpedoes, Roman candles and any fireworks that shoot into the air before exploding are prohibited.
"Generally speaking, if it doesn't explode it's going to be OK," Capt. Morris said.
Citations for violating Georgia's law can carry a maximum $1,000 fine and a year in jail. Capt. Morris said his office averages a dozen to two dozen fireworks noise complaints each New Year's, but most revelers comply after a warning.
In unincorporated areas of Aiken County, it's legal to shoot Class C fireworks, which include most items sold to consumers. Police there have said they usually respond only to reports of a person using fireworks dangerously.
In the city of Aiken, it's legal to sell and use sparklers, "Chinese firecrackers" and toy cap pistols or toy pistol paper caps containing no more than one-fifth grain of explosive mixture. A warning is typically given on a first offense, but a citation could follow on subsequent violations.
In North Augusta, it's legal to shoot Class C fireworks, but there is a noise ordinance. "We want people to be mindful that some people still have to work the next day following a holiday," said North Augusta Public Safety Lt. Tim Pearson.
Reach Preston Sparks at (706) 828-3851 or preston.sparks@augustachronicle.com.
THE DANGERS AND TIPS
-- An estimated 9,800 people were treated for fireworks related injuries in U.S. hospital emergency rooms in 2007, the most recent data available.
-- One third of fireworks-related injuries involve children age 14 or younger.
-- Children should be reminded that if they find unexploded fireworks they shouldn't touch them and should immediately contact the local fire department
-- Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John W. Oxendine urges people to enjoy a professional fireworks display to mark the new year rather than having their own. Professional fireworks displays are allowed in Georgia if those overseeing them are licensed through a local Probate Court judge.
Sources: Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John W. Oxendine and the National Fire Protection Association
WHAT'S LEGAL?
SOUTH CAROLINA: Most fireworks are legal. Those banned include explosive devices such as M-80s, M-100s, blockbusters or quartersticks. Any device that produces sound can contain only two grains of pyrotechnic composition.
GEORGIA: Sparklers up to 100 grams of mixture per item, snake and glow worms, paper streamers, party poppers, string poppers, snappers and drop pops containing 0.25 grains or less of explosive mixture. Firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, Roman candles and sparklers over 100 grams are illegal.
Source: South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, official code of Georgia
Comments
With drunks on the road, folks being shot down and robberies, its important to put all our resources on firecrackers . I havent heard of anyone being robbed at Roman Candle point. Thank God our govt is on the job saving us from ourselves.
don't pander in Columbia County with your roman candle, you may get the electric chair
Jack Kerouac: "“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes "Awww!”
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