What you need to know about buying fireworks in Texas

The Fourth of July is one of those rare times when Texans can go out and buy their own fireworks.

To take full advantage of that, make sure you know who you’re buying it from and how to buy quality fireworks.

When can I buy fireworks in Texas?

For Independence Day weekend, you can buy fireworks from June 24 to midnight on July 4.

Other buying periods:

• New Year’s, beginning December 20 and ending at midnight on January 1 of the following year;
• Cinco De Mayo, beginning May 1 and ending at midnight on May 5 if the fireworks are sold at a location that is not more than 100 miles from the Texas-Mexico border and the county commissioners court has approved the sale of fireworks during the period.
• Each county commissioners court can also permit firework sales for:
  • Texas Independence Day, beginning February 25 and ending at midnight on March 2;
  • San Jacinto Day, beginning April 16 and ending at midnight on April 21; and
  • Memorial Day, beginning the Wednesday before the last Monday in May and ending at midnight on the last Monday in May.

For more information on when you can buy fireworks, contact [email protected].

Is there an age requirement for buying fireworks in Texas?

You have to be at least 16 years old to buy fireworks in Texas.

How can I prepare my own fireworks display?

Fireworks classified as 1.3G require a public display permit whether used for public or private displays. You need to be at least 21 years old to be issued a public fireworks display permit.

If you plan to host a Fourth of July fireworks display that requires a permit on or before July 5:

• All payments and paper applications mailed to the State Fire Marshal’s office must be received no later than Friday, June 24.
• Send paper copies of your Permit Application for Class B Fireworks to the State Fire Marshal’s Office, PO Box 12107, Austin, TX 78711.
• All fireworks display applications submitted by email must be sent to [email protected] by 5 p.m. Thursday, June 30. Money must already be in escrow for any emailed applications received after June 24.

You’ll need to pay an additional permit fee and submit an updated signed certification from your local authority having jurisdiction if you:

• Change the date of the display.
• Add a rain date after the show date.
• Change or add a firing location.

For more information, email [email protected] or call 512-676-6800 and select option 5, then option 1.

How do I know if I’m going to an authorized fireworks seller?

Texas has state regulations related to manufacturing, storing and transportation of fireworks.

An annual retail fireworks permit is required for each retail location. Retail permittees may purchase fireworks only from a distributor, manufacturer or wholesaler licensed by the state. Those annual licenses are distributed by the State Fire Marshal, after an exam. A person must be 18 years or older to get a license to be a distributor, manufacturer or wholesaler, and 21 or older to get a pyrotechnic operator’s license.

If you hire someone to put on a display for your group, make sure they have a Texas pyrotechnic operator’s license.

To find out if someone has a Texas license, contact the State Fire Marshal’s Office at 800-578-4677 or [email protected]. You can also search the company or individual on the online database from the Texas Department of Insurance.

How are fireworks tested for safety?

In Texas, inspections are conducted for fireworks retailers, including both stands and indoor shops, as well as for public fireworks displays.

In Tarrant County, the Fire Marshal’s Office conducts fire and life safety inspections on all fireworks stands and stores in the unincorporated areas of Tarrant County using the Texas Occupation Code, Chapter 2154. And any fireworks display and show launch sites must also be inspected.

What are the different types of fireworks?

In order to choose the right kind of fireworks, you should know the different types you can choose from. These are the various types of fireworks and what they do, according to Phantom Fireworks:

• 200 gram repeaters: Aerial fireworks are large, colorful fireworks that propel effects into the sky from mortar tubes. The 200 gram repeaters are multi-shot aerial fireworks that are pre-loaded into tubes. They are smaller than the 500 gram repeaters.
• 500 gram repeaters: Also known as cakes, these fireworks are pre-loaded into tubes and are the largest multi-shot aerial fireworks available in the U.S. They can be large and loud, depending on the size of the mortars. They are very easy for consumers to use as there is a single fuse to light connected to the other tubes.
• Finale racks: These are multi-shot aerial fireworks that can have a number of mortar tubes inside. There are typically nine shots and each one varies in color and effect. They are considered to be the best part of the show as they are the biggest and loudest fireworks. These will display a wide range of colors and effects.
• Firecrackers: These have to be individually lit and are small in size, but they produce a loud sound. Firecrackers can also come in a brick, which are packs of firecrackers fused together that all go off in a matter of seconds. The other way firecrackers are put together is in a strip, in which firecrackers are fused to a connecting fuse and they go off in sequence when lit.
• Fountains: Fountains are the most popular non-aerial firework, coming in a variety of shapes and sizes. They don’t shoot into the air or make loud bangs like aerial fireworks do. When the fuse is lit, fountains will emit colorful sparks and make whistling or crackling noises. Most last a long time and different parts create the varying colors and effects.
• Jumping jacks: These are similar to firecrackers, but they jump off the ground when lit. Each one jumps, pops, and may emit colors.
• Lanterns: These are similar to little hot air balloons, so when you light them, the flame will make the lantern float into the sky. Lanterns are used for festivals around the world.
• Parachutes: Parachutes have a single tube with one or multiple shells. A weight or an army man toy is attached to a parachute that allows them to float to the ground. Some parachutes are made to be daylight parachutes, leaving a trail of smoke, and others are night-time parachutes, which will have a strobe trail.
• Party poppers: Party poppers, mostly used for celebrations, can vary in size. When you pull the string on poppers, they make a loud popping noise and emit confetti.
• Reloadable mortars: Mortar kits have launching tubes that are attached to a base to help keep the tube level on the ground. You have to load the tubes individually with the shells. When they’re lit, they are rich in color and produce stunning effects.
• Rockets and missiles: These are either attached to a tube with a fin or a stick that shoots up producing effects, like whistles, bands, crackles and stars. Buyers can stick the rockets and missiles into the ground or on platforms and light the fuses individually. Note that Texas has restrictions on the use of sky rockets, bottle rockets and pop rockets.
• Roman candles: Roman candles are in tubes typically made out of cardboard that shoot out comets, stars and other effects. They are colorful and can be large in size producing larger effects.
• Smoke balls: Smoke balls are colored with a fuse out of the top. When lit, smoke is emitted that is the same color as the ball.
• Sparklers: A Fourth of July staple, sparklers are wires layered with pyrotechnic composition that can be stuck into the ground or held. They range in size.
• Spinners: There are aerial spinners and ground spinners. Aerial spinners are lit on hard flat surfaces, and spin fast enough to fly into the air, emitting colorful sparks underneath. Ground spinners spin on the ground and produce sparks. They often change colors and give off a good amount of light when spinning around.
• Wheels: Wheels are often in a card or plastic disc with a round shape. Attached to the disc are rocket-like propellants that make the disc spin around creating flames or sparks.

Tips for fireworks buyers

The Texas Department of Insurance has issued the following tips for fireworks buyers:

• Always buy fireworks from an established retail outlet.
• Always read and follow label directions.
• Always have an adult present.
• Only ignite fireworks outdoors in cleared areas away from houses, buildings, dry leaves, and flammable materials.
• Keep water handy for fires and emergencies.
• Never experiment or attempt to make homemade fireworks.
• Light only one firework at a time.
• Never re-ignite malfunctioning fireworks; soak them in water and throw away.
• Never give fireworks to small children.
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
• Never throw fireworks at another person.
• Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
• Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.
• Wear eye protection when shooting fireworks.
• After shooting them, soak fireworks in water before putting them in the trash.

This story was originally published June 24, 2022 4:06 PM.