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Public Service Announcement regarding the ignition of fireworks within the incorporated limits of the City of LaGrange Georgia, City of LaGrange Code of Ordinances, Sec. 35-1-19 (Noise) states “Consumer fireworks shall not be ignited between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. except as provided for in O.C.G.A. § 25-10-2, which allows the igniting of such fireworks on January 1, the last Saturday and Sunday in May, July 3, July 4, the first Monday in September, and December 31 of each year after the time of 10:00 a.m. and up to and including the time of 11:59 p.m.; and on January 1 of each year beginning at the time of 12:00 midnight and up to and including the ending time of 1:00 a.m.”

The LaGrange Police Department will strictly enforce this ordinance on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Persons who ignite fireworks after 1:00 a.m. on January 1, 2025 may be subject to citation and/or arrest for violation of this City of LaGrange Ordinance and State Law.

If you choose to use fireworks, be sure to adhere to the following safety tips:

· Never allow young children to handle fireworks

· Older children should use them only under close adult supervision

· Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol

· Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear

· Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands

· Never light them indoors

· Only use them away from people, houses and flammable material

· Never point or throw fireworks at another person

· Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting

· Never ignite devices in a container

· Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks

· Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding

· Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire

· Never use illegal fireworks

Also, please be aware that sparklers are dangerous.

Every year, young children can be found along parade routes and at festivals with sparklers in hand, but sparklers are a lot more dangerous than most people think. Sparklers burn at about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals. Sparklers can quickly ignite clothing, and children have received severe burns from dropping sparklers on their feet. According to the National Fire Protection Association, sparklers alone account for more than 25% of emergency room visits for fireworks injuries. For children under 5 years of age, sparklers accounted for nearly half of the total estimated injuries.