Take precautions, exercise restraint with fireworks

Published 8:00 am Saturday, December 31, 2016

As 2017 arrives, many local residents will ring in the New Year with fireworks and revelry as we say goodbye to 2016. Tweaks have been made to the 2015 state law that legalized the sale and use of fireworks in Georgia. The original law generated noise complaints throughout the state, creating an unnecessary burden on many law enforcement agencies having to field phone calls regarding late-night and early-morning fireworks noise.

Fireworks are now prohibited after 1 a.m. on New Year’s and they are not allowed to be discharged on any road or within 100 yards of a hospital, nursing home, historic site, prison or gas station.

These are sensible changes to the original law in an effort to find some middle ground for fireworks users and those who don’t want to take part in the celebrations. People with medical conditions, the elderly and those who just want peace and quiet shouldn’t have to deal with all the noise.

The changes to the law don’t, however, negate personal responsibility by fireworks users this holiday weekend or any other time, for that matter.

Remember that what constitutes appropriate celebration often depends on who’s celebrating. Residents should keep others in mind out of respect for their neighbors and those nearby. Remember also that, like anything else, fireworks can be dangerous if the appropriate precautions aren’t taken.

Those who wish to celebrate with fireworks this weekend must remember to respect their neighbors and others around them. Just because it’s a celebratory time, it doesn’t mean that residents have the right to annoy their neighbors and create unnecessary fire hazards. Remember, too, that those discharging fireworks are responsible if they cause damage to other people’s property — and rightfully so.

Users who ignore the warnings on each package of fireworks do so at their own peril.

It may also go without saying, but the use of fireworks is illegal if the individual is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Celebrating the start of a new year doesn’t mean responsibility is thrown out the window. Changes to the state law on fireworks didn’t make fireworks foolproof. Before you light up that cherry bomb, Roman candle or aerial rocket, remember that there’s always the possibility for human error; use precautions, follow instructions and respect your neighbors to ensure that everyone rings in the new year peacefully and safely.