MACON, Ga. — It's almost America's birthday, and the skies will soon light up with color at fireworks shows. Some people may even decide to pick up their own firecrackers for a show in the backyard.
Personal-use fireworks are legal in counties throughout Georgia, but the times and regulations on when you can shoot them off can change from county to county, so we decided to drive around to a few and see how they are different.
In Bibb County, you can shoot them off from 10 a.m. until 11:59 p.m.
Just up I-75 in Monroe County, the time restrictions are the exactly the same.
Monroe County Sheriff Brad Freeman says people around here typically stop at midnight, but some keep the show going. "Usually the neighbors, they'll tolerate about 30-40 minutes and say, 'OK, wait a minute -- enough's enough," says Freeman.
What if you get caught red-handed with fireworks going off after midnight?
You could get a ticket, and owe some money, even as high as $500 depending where you were shooting them off.
Freeman says it usually doesn't go that far. "I'm sure there's an exception to the rule, but generally speaking, when a deputy pulls up, a warning will suffice, and generally throughout the state, a warning will get somebody's attention that, 'Hey, enough's enough, party's over.'"
In Houston County, fireworks can boom after 9 p.m. until 11:59 p.m.
In Baldwin County, we learned there are no restrictions here other than the state law in place. The only time they restrict people is when there are noise complaints.
Obviously, a sparkler isn't loud, but those bigger fireworks can make a lot of noise.
Make sure the place you live in, whether that's a neighborhood or a complex, allows fireworks, and obviously, the county you in live.
Statewide, Georgia law says you can't set off fireworks in certain areas, such as roads and highways.
By state law, you can set off fireworks on normal days and certain holidays until 11:59 p.m., but it's up to counties and cities to decide if they want to issue a general ordinance.