Last year, fireworks sent 15,600 people to the hospital with injuries ranging from burns, eye injuries and even some deaths. At East Madison Fire Territory, we want everyone to be safe and enjoy personal use fireworks. Please take time to review the safety instructions we have posted below. EMFT will have additional fire and EMS personnel on duty because we know some people will not follow these guidelines and they may be injured or start a fire.
Location
In general, consumer fireworks may only be used at:
- Special discharge locations;
- The property of the person using the firework; or
- The property of another who has given the individual permission to use fireworks on their property.
Please note that a person who sets off fireworks, even in a legal location, may still be held liable for any injuries or damage caused to another person or their property.
Age
Fireworks may only be used or possessed by individuals who are 18 or older unless an adult is present and responsible at the location of possession or use.
Dates and Times
Generally, state statute prohibits a person from igniting, discharging, or using consumer fireworks after 11 p.m.or before 9 a.m. On holidays, as defined in Indiana Code 1-1-9-1(a), a person may not ignite, discharge or use consumer fireworks after midnight or before 9 a.m. For New Year’s Eve, a person can ignite, discharge or use consumer fireworks from 10 a.m. until midnight December 31 and until 1 a.m. January 1 (but not between 1 and 9 a.m. January 1).
Please be aware local ordinances may limit the time frame for use of consumer fireworks even further. However, the following time frames are protected times when the use of consumer fireworks are not prohibited by state statute and may not be prohibited by local ordinance:
- June 29 through July 3 and July 5 through July 9 between 5 p.m.and two hours after sunset
- July 4 between 10 a.m. and midnight
- December 31 after 10 a.m. until 1 a.m. January 1
Use of Sky Lanterns
Sky lanterns are not allowed to be released into the sky without having an anchor or being tethered so that they cannot freely lift into the atmosphere. See section 308.1.6.3 of the Indiana Fire Code, available at Indiana Administrative Code database (Article 22).
