Can I report my neighbor for setting off fireworks in Charlotte? Here’s what to know
It wouldn’t be the Fourth of July without fireworks, but you may want to think twice before lighting up the sky on your own.
Not all fireworks are legal in North Carolina, including firecrackers, ground spinners, bottle rockets, Roman candles, aerial fireworks and anything that explodes or fires into the air.
However, other fireworks that do not explode or fly through the air, like sparklers, and party poppers, are allowed in the state.
Though anyone 16 or older legally can purchase and use fireworks in the state, are you allowed to report someone for their holiday blasts?
▪ If you’re worried about someone’s fireworks being a threat to public safety, you should call 911, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department says, but if someone is simply being a nuisance, report it to 311.
“We will have several officers out there. However, we would encourage you to use reasonable expectations if indeed you do need to call 911,” CMPD officer Jonathan Frisk explained in a safety video from the department. “If something doesn’t seem right, if something seems a little bit unusual, flag down an officer.”
According to the Charlotte Fire Department, more than 19,500 reported fires are started by fireworks annually. So if you are planning to purchase and set off your own fireworks this Fourth of July, here are some safety tips officials recommend you keep in mind:
Buy fireworks from reliable vendors and do not try to make your own.
Store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
Light one firework at a time and have a hose or bucket of water nearby in case of an emergency.
Do not shoot fireworks from a metal or glass container and only ignite them outdoors on a paved surface away from grass and trees.
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