WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – The Fourth of July is right around the corner.

But, before the smoke bombs go off and the sparklers are lit, the Wilmington Fire Department is sharing important tips for keeping you and your family safe over the holiday.

“The main reason it’s so important to practice fire safety is that on the Fourth of July, just about two of every five fires reported are due to fireworks,” Deputy Fire Marshall Jacob Hawkins said.

In North Carolina, it’s illegal to light any fireworks that shoot up into the air or make a loud banging noise, according to WFD.

“You need to pay attention because you don’t want to be that person that loses your house or heaven forbid hurts somebody or maybe even kills somebody just because you made a mistake,” Hawkins warned.

So, which fireworks are legal?

Hawkins said novelty fireworks that do not explode, leave the ground, or shoot into the air are legal in the state.

“What is allowed in North Carolina are sparklers, snakes, smoke bombs, and any kind of fountain with less than 200 grains of explosives,” Hawkins said.

If you do plan to use legal fireworks, make sure to have water or a fire extinguisher nearby.

Light your fireworks in an open area away from buildings, trash, and dry vegetation, especially in the Wilmington area where we’re facing drought conditions.

An adult should always light the fireworks, however, if a child is lighting them, ensure they are under adult supervision.

Hawkins said when in doubt, leave it up to the professionals.

“The only ones that are actually allowed to shoot fireworks are trained professionals and they are always permitted by the cities and state to actually like those fireworks,” he said.

Where can I watch the fireworks on the Fourth?

The City of Wilmington is hosting a fireworks display in historic downtown Wilmington on Thursday. The display will begin at 9:05 p.m. and will be shot from a barge located at the convergence of the Cape Fear and Northeast Cape Fear Rivers, just north of the USS Battleship North Carolina. Below are two other reminders regarding the event:

• Pets are not allowed downtown during special events where large crowds are present and streets are closed.
• There will be a boating safety zone for 30 minutes after the fireworks around the launch site. No through-boating traffic will be allowed.

For a list of fireworks, live music, and more scheduled for Fourth of July celebrations in Wilmington, you can visit this link.

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