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Fireworks in Milton

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Think before you use fireworks. Think about the safety of yourself and anyone else around who could be in harms way. Think about nearby structures, trees and grass that might catch fire. And think about those who might react adversely to loud sudden blasts and bright flashes overhead -- particularly horses, dogs and other animals, as well as people (like veterans with PTSD) who could have severe anxiety, panic attacks and other adverse reactions. 

 

Rules and Ordinances

You can’t shoot off noisy fireworks anywhere, anytime, in any way in Milton -- for good reason. Part of it is being a good, considerate neighbor given fireworks potentially adverse effects on animals, especially horses, and people, such as veterans suffering from PTSD. There’s also the critical matter of protecting those in close proximity to fireworks as well as nearby structures, grasses and trees.

What are the rules regarding fireworks in Milton? Here are some key points:

  1. Louder store-bought fireworks set off by citizens are only allowed between 10 a.m. and midnight on select days -- specifically January 1, the last Saturday and Sunday in May (corresponding with Memorial Day weekend), July 3 and 4, Labor Day, as well as New Year’s Eve (with fireworks also allowed through 1 a.m. on New Year's Day.) This is according to the Milton City Code, which can be found by clicking HERE. Note #6 below for the possible exception involving permitted commercial fireworks displays by seasoned professionals.
  2. On other dates (excluding that exception), the City prohibits “loud and unreasonable noise.” (Click HERE for that reference in the City Code.) This is for all zoning districts. 
  3. It's illegal to possess or use fireworks in any Milton City park (unless authorized by the Mayor and City Council).
  4. Loud fireworks also aren't permitted on a public road or within 100 yards of a gas station/fuel tank, electric substation, historic site, nursing home or another health care facility. To view a map of where fireworks aren't allowed on any day based on this (as well as the park and City property restriction), CLICK HERE.
  5. Any fireworks purchased and certainly used should follow U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations. Just lighting anything that’s flammable and explosive -- including homemade fireworks -- could be especially dangerous.
  6. Commercial firework displays must be conducted by experienced professionals who have obtained a permit. These displays can happen on one of the dates allowed for commercial fireworks or at other dates/times besides those mentioned above. A person putting on the display should fill out THIS FORM and submit it -- along with a $100 check payment -- to Milton’s Fire Marshal. You can find the form HERE; for more info, email fire.marshal@miltonga.gov.
  7. Such permits are also required by any group or person who advertises, publicly shares information about, or invites people to a fireworks display. 

WHAT YOU CAN DO

While the City is prepared to enforce noise ordinance violations caused by fireworks, we cannot do it alone. Here's how you can help:

  • Don’t hesitate. There’s only so much that police can do with after-the-fact reports. Contact police right away while the fireworks are going off.
  • Do that by calling 678-297-6300, then pressing option No. 1
  • Explain to the officer with as much precision as possible what you’re seeing and where. (Notably, pinpointing the source of any solitary firework from miles away can be very difficult.)

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DID YOU KNOW?
  • In the United States in 2018, fireworks started about 19,500 fires -- involving about 1,900 structures, 500 vehicles and 17,100 outside and other fires.
  • These blazes led to five deaths and caused approximately $105 million in direct property damage.
  • U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated about 9,100 people for fireworks-related injuries that year -- half to extremities (arms, legs, etc.) and 34% to eyes and other parts of the head.
  • Children under 15 accounted for over one-third (36%) of the 2018 injuries.
Sources: National Fire Protection Association, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

 

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SAFETY TIPS

  • Leave assembling fireworks to experts. Remember, these are explosives!
  • Don’t let children handle fireworks.
  • Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
  • Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eye wear.
  • Never ignite fireworks in your hands or in a container.
  • Do not light fireworks indoors.
  • Use fireworks a safe distance from people, houses and flammable material. And remember: flammable material can include a house, dry grass or trees.
  • Don’t point or throw fireworks at others.
  • Only light one device at a time, and don’t try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.
  • Soak both spent, unused or not fully extinguished fireworks in water -- best to have a bucket nearby -- for a few hours before discarding them.
Animal Safety

Milton is the proud home to animals of all kinds. We have a sizable equestrian community, and many residents have pets like cats and dogs. When fireworks go off, these animals can suffer.

Why? Because the loud, sudden noises can set off animals. Horses, especially, tend to have a natural “flight” (vs. fight) reaction and may start running wildly when fireworks go off. When they do, they might get hurt slamming into trees, going through or over fences, or simply having medical issues from the extreme stress. Such reactions can endanger nearby property, the animals and -- especially considering horses can be very strong and weigh up to 2,000 pounds -- any human working to control them.

Other pets, like dogs and cats, can also have extreme reactions to fireworks. It might be barking or running or simply tensing up. Sometimes the stress can linger and cause other health issues down the line.

 Sensitive.Pets.Dog 

WHAT GOOD NEIGHBORS SHOULD DO

It’s understandable some light off fireworks the night of July 4 or New Year’s Eve, say. Still, you can have fun and still be considerate to neighbors -- including your animal neighbors. 

Here are some things to keep in mind.

  • Tell neighbors before you set off any fireworks, so they can take care of their animals.  It’s much easier to come up with an action plan to keep everyone’s animals safe with specific details on hand.
  • If you’re hiring a professional company to do fireworks in your neighborhood, they need to get a permit through the State of Georgia. That approved permit then comes to the City of Milton’s Fire Marshal (reachable at Fire.Marshal@miltonga.gov) to consider. The City can then help inform people in the surrounding area. (Note that people setting off fireworks in their yards on allowed dates don’t need permits, so City staff and firefighters won't know about that in advance.) 
  • Don’t set off fireworks sporadically and/or for an extended period of time. It’s one thing for loud bangs to go off for 15 minutes and be done with. It’s even more challenging for animal owners if they go off at random intervals over a 4- or 5-hour stretch, especially if that goes on over several days.
  • Restrict your firework use to only the specified dates allowed by the City. On those dates, at least, animal owners can be more prepared.
  • Some fireworks are louder than others. Given the choice, try not to use louder ones as they’ll potentially be most harmful to animals.
  • Be on the lookout for any animals that may have escaped because they’d been scared during the fireworks.

 

TIPS FOR HORSE AND PET OWNERS

It’s important to do several critical things to keep your animals (and those of your neighbors) safe, healthy and happy when fireworks go off.

    • Make sure the boundary of your yard and/or pasture is secure just in case any animals try to make a run for it
  • Consider doing the following beforehand for your animals (in case they do escape): 1) take up-to-date photos, 2) get them microchipped or have some other way for others to identify them and/or 3) if your animals are already microchipped, make sure that the information in the microchip registry are up to date.
    • If possible, keep animals indoors (i.e. your home or barn) during fireworks.
    • Turn on soothing music to help block out the additional noise and keep your animals calm.
    • Consider talking to your vet about potentially using medication to calm anxiety if your animal has a history of bad reactions to fireworks
    • Keep sparklers, glowsticks, fireworks, charcoals and kabob skewers away from curious pets.
    • Afterward, examine your yard and/or pasture for firework debris. Many fireworks contain heavy metals and other chemicals that can be hazardous to animals, so make sure all of these are disposed of before allowing your animals back into these areas.

And for horse owners especially:

  • Do NOT ride your horse while fireworks are going on. If your horse spooks, both you and your horse could be injured.
  • Try to keep your horse’s daily routine as regular as possible. Horses are much more likely to become nervous if many things are changing at once.
  • Food (especially in a slow feeder or a treat) is a good way to distract your horses from the fireworks going on in the background. Make sure your horse has plenty of hay, as well as enough bedding.
  • If possible, don’t leave stalled horses alone. Horses are herd animals, after all. Try to make sure they can at least see their companions, as this will help them stay calm.
  • Don’t tie your horse when fireworks are going off. Restraints can cause the horse to panic even more and become hurt.
  • Stay near your horse, check on them throughout the evening to make sure they’re doing OK.
  • Try plugging your horses ears with cotton or small foam balls, or with ear coverings, to limit the amount of noise they hear. Do this well ahead of time; you don’t want to potentially make your horse even more nervous by introducing something new at the last moment.
  • Keep the barn lights on to help minimize the flashes of light from fireworks.