You’ve likely been seeing fireworks in the sky celebrating the Fourth of July early, but because of a new law, you might not see them throughout the weekend, depending on where you live.
There are about a dozen days throughout the year that state law now requires communities to allow fireworks. Including June 29 to July 4, and July 5th if it happens to fall on a Friday or Saturday. Fireworks can also only be used until 11:45 p.m. Otherwise, local ordinances can restrict fireworks use.
State Fire Marshal, Kevin Sehlmeyer, said the rules are going to vary depending on where you want to use your fireworks.
“The best advice is reach out to your local form of government and specifically ask them if they have an ordinance that’s in place that would limit certain days,” he said.
Michigan used to have around 30 days when fireworks were allowed by law. The old law allowed the use of fireworks on the day before, the day of and the day after all national holidays. But lawmakers passed changes late last year.
Republican Representative Jim Lilly was a bill sponsor.
“For me, I think at the end of the day, now that we’re down to 12 days a year, it’s something that can be managed, compared to 30 it just seemed like it was somewhat excessive,” Lilly said.