Fireworks are an important part of Independence Day celebrations in the United States. They entertain us with their power and beauty, while symbolizing our national pride. However, the sale and use of fireworks are heavily regulated by state and local governments.

Consumer fireworks are legal to purchase in 49 of the 50 states. In fact, only Massachusetts bans the sale of all fireworks at the state level. However, just because you can buy them, doesn’t mean you can shoot them off. Kansas gives local authorities the power to regulate the use of consumer fireworks.

Therefore, before lighting up your stash of smoke bombs, sparklers and bottle rockets over the Fourth of July next year, you better check your local ordinances.

The regulation of fireworks is not arbitrary. City and county officials may be driven by several factors when deciding their own regulations.

The foremost reason for regulating fireworks is public safety. Many types of fireworks, while beautiful, are explosives. They can cause serious injuries when not handled with care. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, thousands of people are injured each year in fireworks-related accidents.

To prevent injury, government officials in some local governments have outright banned consumer fireworks. Others have chosen to heavily regulate the types that are allowed. For example, Lawrence is a “fireworks-free” city, allowing only the use of items such as party poppers, snappers, snakes, sparklers, toy caps and toy smoke devices.

Another critical aspect of fireworks regulation is the prevention of fires and property damage. Fireworks can be a fire hazard, especially in dry areas. To mitigate potential fire and property damage caused by fireworks, regulations may mandate safe distances from buildings and flammable material, or they may even prohibit their use during droughts. For example, Manhattan, Kansas, does not allow discharge of fireworks within 100 feet of firework stands.

Property and fire damage concerns are also the reason many local governments ban the use of sky lanterns as they can land on property while still burning.

Environmental concerns can also play a role in firework regulation. Fireworks contain chemicals and heavy metals that can pollute air, water and soil. They leave behind debris, some of which is nonbiodegradable.

Another type of pollution that comes with fireworks is noise pollution. Fireworks can be loud, causing disturbances to residents, particularly in densely populated areas. The loud explosions can be distressing to people. This is especially true for those with conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

To mitigate the effects of noise pollution, cities and counties have regulated the hours of the day fireworks can be used. Shawnee County, for example, allows fireworks to be shot off between 8 a.m. and midnight in unincorporated areas.

While fireworks are a revered part of our Fourth of July celebrations, the regulation of fireworks by state and local governments is essential to protect public health, safety, and property, and to mitigate disturbances.

— Brianne Heidbreder is an associate professor of political science at Kansas State University.