Community Corner
Celebrating New Year's Day with Fireworks? Michigan Law Allows It
The start of the new year is among the 10 national holidays on which the state permits fireworks use.
This New Year's Day may be one of the noisiest on record for Michigan, thanks to revisions in state fireworks laws approved in 2012.
The start of the new year is included on the list of national holidays for which the use of these colorful explosives is permitted by state law.
Under Michigan's controversial fireworks law, citizens can ignite, discharge and use consumer fireworks the day before, day of and day after a national holiday, including New Year's Day. The list of approved fireworks now includes "projectiles," such as bottle rockets and Roman Candles.
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The penalty for violating this ordinance is a $500 fine and/or 90 days in jail.
The 10 national holidays recognized by the law include:
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- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King Day
- President's Day or Washington's Birthday
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
Many state residents and city leaders — including in Birmingham — have expressed frustration with the Fireworks Safety Act of 2011. Birmingham passed a fireworks ordinance that bans the personal use of fireworks except for national holidays.
The law was designed to increase revenue to the state and encourage citizens to buy consumer fireworks in Michigan rather than in neighboring states.
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