Hoosiers can rest assured that the chances of them getting in trouble this weekend for shooting off fireworks to celebrate Fourth of July is less likely than in most states.
But before purchasing the bottle rockets and fire crackers, Indiana residents should be aware of a few rules.
In Indiana,
-Fireworks may be used on the user's property or the property of someone who has consented to the use of fireworks.
-Only people at least 18 years old can purchase fireworks, but children can use any kind of firework when an adult is present.
-Fireworks can be burnt from 9 a.m. to midnight on Memorial Day, Independence day, Labor Day and New Year's Eve.
-The highest penalty applies to a class C felony, which could be the reckless use of fireworks that may result in a person's death
Bob Fey, associate director of public safety at Ball State University, said it's not common to cite students misusing fireworks.
"There are very few [citations] related to fireworks," he said. "The problem will lie more in keeping people awake after normal hour, or doing something inherently dangerous."
The latest Indiana fireworks law passed was in 2006, which gave permission for residents to burn fireworks in their backyards. Changes to the days of using consumer fireworks could change through a city or town ordinance.
Although the Indiana law dictates that residents can burn fireworks on designated areas, consumers usually don't look for designated areas because they can burn them in their own properties, Steve Grave, executive director of the Indiana Fireworks Distributor Association (IFDA), said.
He said the IFDA had approved sites designated by the state a year after the law had passed, but not many people showed up.
This year there are no IFDA designated firework sites in Muncie. However, more restrictive communities are encouraged to have sites for people who want to celebrate in specific holidays, Graves said.
"People could come, bring in their fireworks, sit on their lawn chair and they not only got to see their fireworks shot off, but also everyone else's," Graves said. "So it would be more of a family activity thing."
Although Indiana residents have the right to burn fireworks every day of the year, the majority will wait until a holiday or a special occasion, Graves said.
"Most people understand that fireworks are best enjoyed during the Independence celebration," he said. "It's history, tradition, and people invest some money into buying fireworks for these holidays."
After the 2006 law was passed, the Indiana Department of Health is required to receive an annual report on the number of firework-related injuries during the Independence Day holiday. In 2008, the state reported 141 injuries related to the misuse of fireworks and in 2009 the state reported 116. Graves said although the number injuries had gone down in the past few years, the number of consumers has gone up every year.
Graves said he thought the number of firework-related injuries has gone down because there were more restrictions.
"I think the reason why injuries were so high was because people made their own fireworks," he said. "People were out there trying to imitate something that was banned and now they gradually have had access to it."
With the liberty to buy a wide variety of fireworks, consumers look for something new every year, Graves said.
"I think every year there is new product coming out, and new effects, because the consumers demand it," he said. "They want to see the biggest bang to their buck. If I'm going to spend $15
on fireworks I want them to deliver the ‘Oohs' and the ‘Ahs.'"
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
