Fireworks season is near and soon loud booms and bright colors will fill the sky.
Before you spend your family fortune on fireworks for the summer, here are some things you need to know about using fireworks in Indiana:
Indiana fireworks laws
Indiana has four main laws regarding consumer use of fireworks:
- Must be 18 or older to purchase fireworks.
- An adult must be present for children to use any kind of fireworks.
- Use of fireworks is limited to your own property, the property of someone who has approved your fireworks fun or a location designated specifically for the use consumer fireworks.
- Fireworks are allowed from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. year round and from 9 a.m. to midnight on Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and New Year’s Eve unless a local ordinance specifies otherwise. A lot of local ordinances specify otherwise; see below for details.
Penalties for illegal use of fireworks
Five major penalties have been determined by the state of Indiana in addition to local ordinances.
- Anyone under the age of 18 using fireworks when an adult is not present is subject to a Class C misdemeanor and may result in a maximum fine of $500 per citation.
- Illegal use of fireworks at an unapproved location is subject to a maximum fine of $500 per citation. Multiple citations in a five-year period results in a Class C misdemeanor and is subject to a $500 fine and 60 days in jail.
- Damaging someone else’s property with fireworks is a Class A misdemeanor and can result in a $10,000 maximum fine and up to one year in prison.
- Causing personal injury to someone else with fireworks is a Class D felony and may result in a $10,000 maximum fine and six months to three years in prison.
- A fatal fireworks accident is considered a Class C felony and may result in a $10,000 maximum fine and two to eight years in prison.
Local fireworks ordinances
Marion County-Indianapolis
Fireworks are allowed in Marion County from 5 p.m. to two hours after sunset June 28-July 3 and July 5-9. They are permissible from 10 a.m to midnight on July 4 and from 10 a.m. Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1.
Brownsburg
Fireworks are allowed in Brownsburg from 5 p.m. to two hours after sunset June 29-July 3 and July 5-9. They are permissible from 10 a.m to midnight on July 4 and from 10 a.m. Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1.
Carmel
Fireworks are allowed in Carmel from 5 p.m. to midnight June 29-July 3 and July 5-9. They are permissible from 10 a.m to midnight on July 4 and from 10 a.m. Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1.
Fishers
Fireworks are allowed in Fishers from 5 p.m. to two hours after sunset June 29-July 3 and July 5-9. They are permissible from 10 a.m to midnight on July 4 and from 10 a.m. Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1.
Franklin
Fireworks are allowed in Franklin from 5 p.m. to two hours after sunset June 29-July 3 and July 5-9. They are permissible from 10 a.m to midnight on July 4 and from 10 a.m. Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1.
Greenwood
Fireworks are allowed in Greenwood from 5 p.m. to two hours after sunset on June 22-July 3 and July 5-11. They are permissible from 10 a.m to midnight on July 4 and from 10 a.m. Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1.
McCordsville
Fireworks are allowed in McCordsville from 5 p.m. to two hours after sunset June 29-July 3 and July 5-9. They are permissible from 10 a.m to midnight on July 4 and from 10 a.m. Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1.
New Whiteland
Fireworks are allowed in New Whiteland from 5 p.m. to two hours after sunset June 29-July 3 and July 5-9. They are permissible from 10 a.m to midnight on July 4 and from 10 a.m. Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1.
Noblesville
Fireworks are allowed in Noblesville from 5 p.m. to two hours after sunset June 29-July 3 and July 5-9. They are permissible from 10 a.m to midnight on July 4 and from 10 a.m. Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1.
Pittsboro
Fireworks are allowed in Pittsboro all year long from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Other restrictions limit fireworks from 5 p.m. to two hours after sunset June 29-July 3 and July 5-9. They are permissible from 10 a.m to midnight on July 4 and from 10 a.m. Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1.
Plainfield
Fireworks are allowed in Plainfield from 5 p.m. to two hours after sunset June 29-July 3 and July 5-9. They are permissible from 10 a.m to midnight on Memorial Day, July 4 and Labor Day. They are also permitted from 10 a.m. Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1.
Westfield
Fireworks are allowed in Westfield from 5 p.m. to two hours after sunset on Memorial Day weekend, June 29-July 3, July 5-9 and Labor Day weekend. They are permissible from 10 a.m to midnight on July 4 and from 10 a.m. Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1.
Whiteland
Fireworks are allowed in Whiteland from 10 a.m. to two hours after sunset June 29-July 3 and July 5-9. They are permissible from 10 a.m to midnight on July 4, from 10 a.m. Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1, and from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. any other day not listed.
Whitestown
Fireworks are only allowed in Whitestown from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday after Memorial Day and before Labor Day a few exceptions. Fireworks are also allowed from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on the day of the Indianapolis 500; from 2 to 10:30 p.m. on Memorial Day, the third day of Diwali unless a different day for Diwali is observed, the first day of Chinese New Year, Labor Day and New Year’s Day; from 5 to 11 p.m. or until two hours after sunset if the sun sets after 9 p.m. on June 29-July 3 and July 5-9; from 10 a.m to midnight on July 4 and from 10 a.m. Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1.
Fireworks safety tips
Here’s a look at 10 fireworks safety tips offered by the state of Indiana:
- Only use fireworks outside.
- Don’t aim, point or throw fireworks at another person.
- Don’t allow children to light or play with fireworks.
- Keep fireworks in a cool, dry place.
- Only buy fireworks from a licensed dealer.
- Watch fireworks from a safe distance from the launch area.
- Use fireworks in an open area.
- Avoid fixing or relighting fireworks.
- Keep a fire extinguisher, bucket of water, water hose or other water supply nearby.
- In case of wind, light fireworks where the wind is blowing away from spectators.
This article was first published by IndyStar.
