Tips for a Safe Independence Day

The City of Novi regulates the ignition, discharge, or use of fireworks by local ordinance.

It is prohibited in Novi to ignite and discharge consumer fireworks except on the day before, day of, and day after a national holiday including New Year’s Day, Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

The ordinance also prohibits the ignition, discharge, or use of consumer fireworks on public property, including streets and rights-of-way, or on school property, church property, city parks, or private property owned by others, without written permission. 

Fireworks can not be ignited, discharged, or used by a person under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.

Recently, Gov. Snyder signed into law Public Act 65, which allows for time restrictions on the discharge of consumer fireworks on the permissable days between midnight and 8 a.m. or between 1 a.m. and 8 a.m. on New Year’s Day.

The Novi Fire Department recommends community members enjoy fireworks at a professional event. If purchasing consumer fireworks for private use, the following safety precautions should be considered:

• Before using any legal fireworks, read and follow all warning instructions printed on the label.
• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks. Adults should always supervise fireworks activities. Sparklers burn at temperatures of approximately 1,800 degrees; hot enough to melt some metals.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Never have any portion of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Move back to a safe distance immediately after lighting.
• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not fully functioned.
• After fireworks fully complete their functioning, place the device in a bucket of water and leave it overnight to prevent a trash fire.
• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers. Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
• Never use, ignite, or discharge any fireworks while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances.

This information was provided by the Novi police and fire departments.