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 penalties for violating the state law range from not more than 30 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine, up to 15 years and/or a fine of $10,000 if the violation results in another person's death.
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 Farmington and Farmington Hills—have expressed frustration with the Fireworks Safety Act of 2011. Both cities have passed fireworks ordinances that ban the personal use of fireworks on all days except those protected by the state law.
The law was designed to increase revenue to the state and encourage citizens to buy consumer fireworks in Michigan rather than in neighboring states.
Correction: The penalties for violating state law were incorrectly reported in the original version of this story.
