Bought fireworks in Jasper Co. to launch in Beaufort Co? Set them off and you could pay
Set off a Roman candle in Beaufort County without a permit? You could come under fire.
It’s tricky. Someone from Beaufort County can drive less than an hour to Jasper County and purchase fireworks. But they cannot legally deploy them back home unless they have a special permit. Discharging fireworks without a permit is illegal in Beaufort County and can result in a fine or jail time, according to the county’s municipal codes.
Sparklers are permitted, but Russell Rogers, deputy fire marshal for Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue, balks at their safety.
At 2,000 degrees while burning, the temperature is hot enough to melt aluminum. And while the thin, fizzy sticks look harmless, sparklers alone account for more than 25% of emergency room visits for fireworks injuries, according to the National Safety Council.
However, on Hilton Head Island, you can shoot off fireworks if you are on your private property. But setting off fireworks or fire of any kind on the beach or dunes is illegal without a permit.
Rogers urges islanders to skip the pyrotechnics and leave the show to the professionals.
Yes, fireworks are technically controlled explosions, Rogers said. But once one launches into the air, there’s no telling what the gunpowder concoction will do or where it might go.
“You don’t really have any control,” Rogers said. “People get injured, you can start a fire, you can start your neighbor’s yard on fire ... However, there are cases where people can do it safely, but there’s not many places on the island that are big enough to do it safely.”
Public displays are put on by licensed shooters, and on Hilton Head, fireworks are shot off from a barge over the water. It’s a method Rogers said is “absolutely safe” for the public.
Here’s where you can watch professional shows:
HarbourFest’s 4th of July Fireworks: Fireworks over the marina begin after 9 p.m. Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina will offer a free shuttle service from the parking lot of the Hargray building near Fresh Market for celebration attendees to be shuttled to the HarbourFest events running 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Parking in the lot is free. The celebration is also free and open to the public.
Harbour Town Fourth of July Fireworks: Sea Pines Harbour Town fireworks light show will begin around 9 p.m. Attendees can grab food and listen to live music at the event.
4th of July Hometown Celebration: The Town of Port Royal’s firework show at Sands Beach will begin after dark, around 9 p.m. complete with fireworks this year. Located at Sands Beach in Port Royal. There will be food vendors and live music.
This story was originally published July 4, 2022 at 10:37 AM.
