Fireworks in RI: What's legal, where can you buy them and everything else you need to know
Consumers looking to celebrate the Fourth of July with a bang this year should find a good supply of fireworks, despite some shipping challenges, but will probably pay more.
"I think you'll find prices for fireworks are up everywhere," said Keith Lambert, owner of Fireworks RI, which has stores in Woonsocket, Warren and temporary spaces in Warren and East Providence.
The supply and sale of fireworks have been affected by the same forces that have driven up prices and limited inventory on other goods, according to Lambert and the American Pyrotechnics Association.
"Overall costs" are up more than 35% across the industry, the trade association said in a news release, noting an increase in price on everything from shipping to supplies, insurance, labor and gasoline.
Lambert recently paid nearly $1,800 in shipping costs for an order that he says would have cost him $600 to $700 a year ago. "What do you do in that case?" he said. "I have to pass some of it along, but I try to keep prices down as best I can."
Supply should be strong, according to Julie L. Heckman, executive director of the American Pyrotechnics Association, because some large U.S. retailers took it upon themselves to work around shipping problems.
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They chartered 12 vessels to bring more than 32,000 containers of fireworks from China to ports in Louisiana and Alabama, bypassing backlogged ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach, Heckman said.
"Everybody is pretty well stocked up," she said.
What's the trend in fireworks sales?
The sale of consumer fireworks has boomed in the United States over the last 20 years as states have loosened restrictions, according to Heckman. More recently, COVID has contributed to the increase. With cities, towns and other organizations cancelling large community displays, residents have bought supplies for home shows, she says.
Last year set a record with 416.3 million pounds of consumer fireworks sold. That compares with 385.8 million in 2020 and 248.9 million in 2019. The sale of consumer fireworks has increased more than fourfold since 2000, when U.S. consumers bought 102 million pounds of fireworks, according to the American Pyrotechnics Association.
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"We're predicting this year is going to be as good as last year or better," Heckman said.
Rhode Island was "part of the movement" among states to loosen fireworks restrictions, Heckman said. In 2010, Rhode Island legalized the use for of some ground and hand-held fireworks, such as sparklers.
Every state except Massachusetts now allows for the sale of at least some type of fireworks, according to Heckman. She says Rhode Island laws are "a little more restrictive" than average.
"Rhode Island is what we call a 'safe and sane state,' " she said.
Which types of fireworks are legal in Rhode Island?
Brian Hodge, a spokesman for the state Fire Marshals office, provided the following explanation of Rhode Island's law:
"In Rhode Island, only ground and hand-held sparkling devices (“sparklers”) are legal for use by the general public, 16 years of age or older. These devices are ground based or hand-held devices that produce a shower of white, gold, or colored sparks as their primary pyrotechnic effect.
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"Additional effects may include a colored flame, an audible crackling effect, an audible whistle effect, and smoke. These devices do not rise into the air, do not fire inserts or projectiles into the air, and do not explode or produce a report. (A mild audible crackling-type effect is not considered to be a report.)
"Ground-based or hand-held devices that produce a cloud of smoke as their sole pyrotechnic effect are also included in this category."
State law still prohibits the sale, use or possession of aerial consumer fireworks, including "firecrackers, rockets, mortars, or any other device that launches a projectile and/or makes a "bang"/detonation/report," Hodge noted.
Violation is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and one year in prison for each offense, according to state law.
Large aerial fireworks shows are allowed by permit.
Where can I buy fireworks?
Rhode Island has several businesses like Lambert's that sell fireworks. Shortly before July 4th, some retailers also set up temporary sites, such as tents in parking lots, to sell fireworks. Lambert sets up temporary sales sites in East Providence and Warren.
So far, he says, business seems average, but he notes 80% of his sales come July 3 and July 4.
Heckman expects consumers to spend on fireworks again this year, but their budgets won't stretch as far as it has in previous years.
She said, "I think they're going to get a little less bang for their buck."
https://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/title11/11-13/11-13-1.htm
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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Are 4th of July fireworks allowed in Rhode Island? Laws, penalties
