4th of July 2024: What fireworks are legal in the city of Peoria?

The Fourth of July beckons on Thursday, marking the 248th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

It's the perfect time for parades, cookouts and backyard sparklers. But before going out to buy a bunch of fireworks – and then watch a bunch of fireworks – there are a few things that you need to know about what you can use in Peoria.

Here's a go-to guide on fireworks – and using them responsibly – in Peoria:

Are fireworks legal in the city of Peoria?

In certain cases, yes. The Peoria Fire Department approves certain "novelty items" that can be purchased and used throughout the city. These include:

• Party poppers: Yes, party poppers are considered an approved consumer firework under Peoria city code. The items themselves cannot contain more than 0.25 grains of explosives. Normally, these items have streamers or confetti, which are non-flammable.
• Snappers: Also known as poppers, these devices give off a small "popping" sound when thrown on the ground.
• Toy caps: Either plastic or paper caps for the sort of toy guns, with the same amount of explosives contained within it as party poppers.
• Snakes or glow worms: These devices are allowed as long as they have no more than 0.07 ounces of pyrotechnics.
• Any smoke generating device: These include, but are not limited to: cones – fountains, repeaters or shower of sparks – tanks, volcanos, aircraft and parachutes.
• Sparklers: These aren't recommended, per se, as they cause 60% of all fireworks related injuries, according to the fire department. But they are legal as long as people use them responsibly.

So, that leaves...

The city has declared the following fireworks illegal to use or sell – without a commercial display permit:

• Handheld fireworks: Anything other than a sparkler, such as "Fairy Wands", "Rainbow Stix," and the unfortunately-named "Morning Glory."
• Bottle rockets: A small version of a skyrocket.
• Firecrackers: Any size or kind of firecracker, such as M-1000s and PK 12's, are prohibited in Peoria.
• Skyrockets: The larger version of bottle rockets.
• Roman candles: Because they have a tendency to go off track, these are not allowed.
• Chasers: These kinds are the ones that whistle as they take off.
• Buzz bomb: A louder version of a helicopter.
• Helicopter: The more colorful version of a buzz bomb.
• Missile: Basically, anything that looks like it may have a nuclear weapon inside.
• Planes: Small, toy planes with small explosives attached to them.
• Sky lanterns: While serene in comparison to other banned devices, this one does require the use of fire, even though you may have seen this at weddings and wakes.
• Pin wheels: A rapidly-spinning form of sparkler.
• Any kind of ground-based firework not expressly allowed: Basically, anything other than a cone, a fountain or a repeater.

Those found with any of these devices will be cited and fined $250, according to the city ordinance governing fireworks.

What are some good tips for using fireworks?

The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal recommends that if possible, one should leave the fireworks to professionals with state licensing.

"Fireworks and the 4th of July go hand-in-hand, but if not used properly or by professionals they can cause serious injuries such as burns, dismemberments, amputations, or worse, an accidental death," said Fire Marshal James Rivera.

The fire marshal's office recommends that people use something non-explosive – such as a glow stick or silly string – to celebrate the Fourth on their own.

So, how do the people who organize fireworks shows get away with it?

First of all, they're not getting away with anything. They have display permits from state and local authorities in order to do them. Both the fire marshal's office and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources require that fireworks vendors have the proper licensing before selling fireworks or organizing fireworks shows.

The fire marshal allows fireworks operators to file a license to operate in Illinois, while IDNR requires those doing fireworks shows to have an explosives license and storage certificate under the Illinois Explosives Act.

Both the fire marshal's office and IDNR requires comprehensive training along with requiring that any fireworks be placed in a magazine or container examined by IDNR.

Natalie Phelps Finnie, director of IDNR, said that people should understand the rules and ensure safety on the Fourth of July or during the extended weekend that follows.

"The last thing anyone wants during the Fourth of July is a fireworks-related accident that leads to life-altering injuries or even death," Phelps Finnie said in a news release. "Understand the rules and play it safe."