For many people, it wouldn't be New Year's Eve without fireworks.
But before you take to your backyard with a box full of Roman candles, bottle rockets and firecrackers, here are a few things to remember:
Many surrounding communities have banned fireworks.
Spokespeople for several area communities told the Times Free Press on Monday that fireworks are technically illegal within their municipal limits, but police tend to look the other way on New Year's Eve unless they receive complaints, at which time they must enforce the ban on fireworks.
Fireworks ordinances for the Chattanooga area include:
- Unincorporated areas of Hamilton County: Fireworks are fair game, provided you use them in a "safe and responsible manner," according to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
- Chattanooga: Fireworks that do not require a pyrotechnic license are legal within city limits, except between the hours of 11:30 p.m. and 8 a.m. On New Year's Eve, however, the prohibited hours are pushed back an hour, from 12:30 a.m. to 8 a.m.
- East Ridge: Illegal within city limits
- Soddy-Daisy: Illegal within city limits
- Red Bank: Illegal within city limits
- Lakesite: Illegal within city limits
Fireworks ordinances in North Georgia communities largely follow state law, which allows fireworks to be shot on New Year's Eve until 1 a.m. on New Year's Day. Various municipalities have their own nuisance ordinances.
(Read more: Where to find balloon drops, costume parties and champagne toasts on New Year's Eve)
Restrictions include firing fireworks within 100 yards of a hospital, nursing home, health care facility, electric plant, water treatment plant, an electrical substation, or a facility that sells flammable liquids or gases. No fireworks may be used by anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs or by anyone inside any park, historic site, or recreational area owned by a governing authority without a special permit.
Fireworks are dangerous, and should be treated as such
From 2013 to 2017, fireworks caused one death, nearly 400 fires and more than $1 million in property damage in the state, according to the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance.
"If you're going to shoot off fireworks in your neighborhood please do it safely, under the supervision of a responsible adult," said Chattanooga Police Department spokeswoman Elisa Myzal. "Please do NOT allow children to ignite fireworks, keep a water source nearby, and if a firework has failed to ignite please do not attempt to relight it."
For more safety tips, visit http://bit.ly/2z5kK45.