Fireworks Useage Laws for Indiana

Before you bring the boom this 4th of July, take a few minutes to know what you can and can't do.

There's no doubt that fireworks are fun. Depending on how much money you're willing to spend, there's something captivating about colorful explosions. But as entertaining as they are, remember that fireworks are essentially explosives that burn at an extremely high heat  and can cause serious damage if not handled properly. While you want to have fun and celebrate our nation's independence, you also want to make sure you still have all your appendages when the show is over.

Like all states, Indiana and Kentucky have ordinances in place that spell out the time frame residents are allowed to shoot off their fireworks, as well as restrictions on where those fireworks can be used.

Indiana law states:

Fireworks can be purchased only by persons 18 years of age or older.

Children may only possess or use any kind of reworks when an adult is present.

Fireworks may be used: on the user’s property, on the property of someone who has consented to the use of reworks on that property.

at a special discharge location.*

* special discharge location = a place designated for the discharge of consumer fireworks under temporary policies of the State Fire Marshal.

Consumer and Sec. 8(a) (sparklers, ground spinners, cone fountains, wheels, cylindrical fountains) fireworks may be used only between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.on days other than holidays.

On holidays (Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, and New Year’s Eve), fireworks may be used between 9:00 a.m. and midnight.

What happens if something goes wrong because you weren't careful? Depending on the damage caused, penalty's can range from a simple fine to jail time. The law states:

A. A person who uses consumer fireworks at any place other than the 3 options listed in 2c or at times other than those listed in 2d,commits a class C infraction that may result in a maximum fine of $500 per infraction. More than 1 infraction in 5 years may constitute a change of a class C misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment up to 60 days and a maximum fine of $500.

B. A person who recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally uses consumer fireworks and damages someone else’s property commits a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment up to 1 year and a maximum fine of $10,000.

C. A person who recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally uses consumer fireworks and causes serious injury to someone else, commits a class D felony punishable by imprisonment from 6 months to 3 years and a maximum fine of $10,000.

D. A person who recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally uses consumer fireworks that causes death, commits a class C felony punishable by imprisonment from 2 to 8 years and a maximum fine of $10,000.
E. A person less than 18 years of age who possesses or uses a firework when an adult is not present and responsible at the location commits a Class C infraction that may result in a fine of up to $500 per infraction.

View the complete ordinance as well as firework safety tips on the Indiana Department of Homeland Security website.