The New Year is upon us this evening, and Polk County residents who want to ring it in with a bang should take notice of a few things before lighting off roman candles after the clock strikes midnight.

Those home fireworks shows have only a short amount of time to enjoy it.

State law requires that fireworks shows can begin this morning at 10 a.m. and can continue until 11:59 p.m. on normal days – and those special holidays like Memorial Day weekend, July 3 and July 4, Labor Day and New Years Eve and New Years Day.

(Fireworks shot on regular days might be allowed – but only if it doesn’t violate county noise ordinances in the location where you reside. See the code section below. -KtE)

However, you get an extra hour to enjoy pops tonight as fireworks can be lit until 1 a.m. as the New Year begins in the Eastern Time Zone.

County officials also are hoping that with prior notice about fireworks celebrations being allowed until 1 a.m., 911 will avoid having to field calls for complaints that aren’t legally valid.

Additionally, keep safety concerns about fireworks in mind when handling them during celebrations later tonight.

We kindly ask that you keep this in mind as your celebrate in order to aid in the prevention of unnecessary E-911 phone calls. We want to ensure that all lines of communication remain available for true emergencies. Thank you for your cooperation.

Those who have purchased fireworks ahead of the New Year should keep them in a dry, cool area away from any potential ignition sources and flammable materials

Do be considerate of those who might be suffering from PTSD and the impact that fireworks might have on neighbors who are veterans, as well as those with dogs and other pets who may be sensitive to the explosive noises caused by fireworks displays.

Keep pets indoors while neighbors are shooting off fireworks as well.

The County sent the following along as well about fireworks for those wondering what the code section says about displays tonight:

NEW YEAR’S EVE PUBLIC NOTICE:

Georgia Code 25-10-2 states that “it shall be lawful for any person, firm, corporation, association, or partnership to use or ignite or cause to be ignited any consumer fireworks:
(i) On any day beginning at the time of 10:00 A.M. and up to and including the ending time of 11:59 P.M., unless during such times the noise from such use or ignition is not in compliance with a noise ordinance of a county or municipal corporation as provided for in subsection (c) of this Code section, except as otherwise provided for under this subparagraph; provided, however, that a county or municipal corporation may additionally require the issuance of a special use permit pursuant to subparagraph (D) of this paragraph for use or ignition;
(ii) On January 1, the last Saturday and Sunday in May, July 3, July 4, the first Monday in September, and December 31 of each year after the time of 10:00 A.M. and up to and including the time of 11:59 P.M.; and
(iii) On January 1 of each year beginning at the time of 12:00 Midnight and up to and including the ending time of 1:00 A.M.”

We kindly ask that you keep this in mind as your celebrate in order to aid in the prevention of unnecessary E-911 phone calls. We want to ensure that all lines of communication remain available for true emergencies. Thank you for your cooperation.
Happy New Year!