Fireworks: What's Legal, What's Not

It’s getting close to that time of year where we will soon be hearing loud booms, bangs and bright lights in the night sky. Yes, I’m talking about fireworks. 

Since area law enforcement agencies will soon be receiving a plethora of telephone calls regarding fireworks, I thought we might discuss what are considered legal and illegal fireworks. 

The Michigan law covering fireworks is 750.243a and starts by defining what are considered fireworks.    

“Fireworks” means a device made from explosive or flammable compositions used primarily for the purpose of producing a visible display or audible effect, or both, by combustion, deflagration, or detonation. Fireworks include class B fireworks and class C fireworks.

Let’s try to make fireworks do’s and don’ts simple to understand. 

Anyone who uses Class B fireworks will need a permit.  Class B fireworks include firecrackers, bottle rockets, roman candles and any fireworks that leave the ground.

Class C fireworks, which include flat paper caps, sparklers, fountains, toy snakes and smoke bombs, do not require a permit in Michigan.

Unlike the small, colorfully-packaged fireworks available for retail purchase, professional grade fireworks shells, which usually come wrapped in brown paper, contain larger amounts of sensitive explosive mixtures that can be very dangerous when used by untrained individuals.

A fast fact:  Sparklers can reach 1,800° Fahrenheit (982° Celsius) which is hot enough to melt gold. 

To increase safety during personal use of legal fireworks:

• Read and follow all warnings and instructions.
• Never allow children to play with fireworks of any kind.
• Only use fireworks outdoors.
• Wear protective clothing, including eyewear.
• Only light devices on smooth, flat surfaces away from residential areas, dry leaves and flammable materials.
• Always keep a hose or bucket of water nearby in case of malfunction.
• Never try to relight fireworks that have not fully functioned.

We want everyone to be safe and enjoy the summer.  Nobody wants to be part of these statistics from the National Fire Protection Association and Consumer Product Safety Commission:

• 30,100 Estimated number of fires caused by fireworks each year
• 7,000 Estimated number of injuries caused by fireworks in 2008
• 7 Fireworks-related deaths occurred in 2008
• $34 million Amount of direct property loss caused by fireworks

Lisa from Highland: Asks for clarification regarding when a left turn can be made at a red light.  It seems she has an on going debate with her husband about this type of turn. I try to stay out of debates between married couples, but since this one involves a traffic issue covered by law, I will quote the law and remain neutral.

Specifically MCL 257.612(1)(c)(ii) covers the left turn issue.  Vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal, after stopping… may make a left turn from a 1-way or 2-way street into a 1-way roadway carrying traffic in the direction of the left turn, unless prohibited by sign, signal, marking, light, or other traffic control device. The vehicular traffic shall yield the right of way to pedestrians and bicyclists lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.

Since starting this column we have received excellent questions.  We even had a few comments of appreciation from people who have found it useful and informative. 

Starting next week, if we use your question in the Ask A Trooper column, we would like to offer you a Michigan State Police – Brighton Post coffee cup.  These coffee cups are pretty nice and quite the collectors item.  If you include your name, address or phone number, with your question, we will let you know when you can come to the Post and receive a coffee cup.

Quote for the week, “Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and enjoy the journey." – unknown.

If you have a question, a good safety or traveling quote, send it to askatrooper12@gmail.com.