Fourth of July is almost here, which means Michiganders are stocking up on fireworks, and law enforcement wants everyone to be clear on the rules before the celebrations begin. Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey says the state may have relaxed its rules on fireworks in recent years, but that doesn’t mean anything goes. He says, first of all, there are limits on when you can use them around a holiday.
“You can set them off the day before and the day after without a whole lot of problems as long as you’re doing it in a safe manner,” Bailey told WSJM.
Bailey says it’s also important to follow basic safety guidelines.
“You should have an open area,” Bailey said. “If you’re going to set off any fireworks, you should make sure that you’re not shooting them into a field that could catch on fire or into a wooded area.”
Bailey says illegal fireworks in Michigan include some explosives. If you’re buying from a legitimate seller, then getting prohibited items is unlikely. He says sellers have to be licensed, so any dealer you buy from should be able to show you that documentation. Bailey also reminds everyone it’s illegal to shoot off fireworks after midnight.
