Are Fireworks Legal for New Year's Eve?

SAN ANGELO, TX – While fireworks displays are a traditional part of celebrating New Year's Eve for many people, they are still banned inside the San Angelo city limits.  

Fireworks are also illegal in the San Angelo State Park, Twin Buttes Reservoir, and all public areas in Tom Green County.

It is legal to sell and purchase fireworks outside the San Angelo city limits in Tom Green County, you just can't use them anywhere except on private property outside of the city. 

In San Angelo, like most Texas cities, city ordinances make using fireworks in the city a crime. 

Sec. 6.04.002 Fireworks (a) Definition. Fireworks shall mean and include, but not be limited to, any combustible or explosive composition or any substance or combination of substances or article prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or an audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration or detonation, and shall include blank cartridges, toy pistols, toy candles, toy canes or toy guns in which explosives are used, the type of balloons which require fire underneath to propel the same, firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, roman candles, dago bombs, sparklers, wheels, fountains, helicopter type rockets, colored bomb shells or other devices of like construction and any devices containing any explosive or flammable compound or any tablets or other device containing any explosive substance.

(b) Nuisance. The presence of any fireworks within the effective area of this article as defined hereinafter in violation of this article is hereby declared a nuisance.

(c) Manufacture, sale and discharge of fireworks.

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to have, keep, store, use, manufacture, assemble, sell, handle, receive, offer for sale, or have in his possession with intent to sell any fireworks of any description.

(2) Any person who violates this section shall be fined in accordance with the general penalty provision found in section 1.01.009 of this code for each offense, and each day a violation is permitted to exist shall constitute a separate offense.

Here are some safety tips for those who will use fireworks on New Year's Eve: 

• Always read and follow label directions.
• Have an adult present.
• Buy from reliable sellers.
• Use outdoors only.
• Always have water – a garden hose and a bucket – on hand.
• Never experiment or make your own fireworks.
• Light only one firework at a time.
• Never re-light a “dud” firework. Wait 15-20 minutes, then soak it in a bucket of water.
• Never give fireworks to children.
• If you must store fireworks, do so in a cool dry place.
• Dispose of fireworks properly by soaking them in water, then disposing of them in your trashcan. Leaving used, discarded fireworks on the ground is littering.
• Never throw or point fireworks at other people.
• Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
• Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.
• The shooter should always wear eye protection and never have any part of the body over the firework.
• Stay away from illegal explosives.

Have a safe and happy New Year!