July 4th fireworks 2025: What's the minimum age to buy fireworks?
Age restrictions for purchasing fireworks vary widely across the U.S., ranging from no age limits to a maximum of 21 years.What to know about buying fireworks, and at what age.
More: Fireworks injuries were way up last year. How to protect yourself this year.
How old do you have to be to buy fireworks?
Only two states, Maine and New Hampshire, require buyers of fireworks to be 21 years of age or older, according to the American Pyrotechnics Association.
But in most states, the age requirement to purchase fireworks is 18. This includes: Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, New York, Ohio, South Dakota, Virginia, West Virginia and Vermont.Seventeen states, however, do allow 16-year-olds to purchase fireworks: Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Washington.The minimum age to buy fireworks in Missouri is 14, and in four states: Arkansas, Mississippi, North Dakota and Oklahoma, 12-year-olds are allowed to purchase fireworks.Nevada, Pennsylvania, Washington, DC, Wisconsin and Wyoming have no age restrictions, but local ordinances usually require that an adult (over the age of 18) be present.
Which state has banned fireworks?
Since 1943, Massachusetts has banned the possession, use, and sale of fireworks by individuals without a license. The state's regulations only allow fireworks at public, permitted events. Also, the law prohibits fireworks bought and transported from other states to Massachusetts.
Any safety tips for handling fireworks?
In 2024, there were 11 fireworks-related deaths, mainly due to misuse and malfunctions, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Injuries rose sharply to an estimated 14,700, a 38% increase in deaths and 52% in injuries compared to 2023. About 1,700 of these injuries involved sparklers and required emergency room treatment.
'Behind these numbers are real people, real families — and often, preventable incidents,' said CPSC Acting Chairman Peter Feldman in a June 25 statement. 'Fireworks injuries don't just happen on the Fourth of July. We urge everyone to celebrate responsibly — because safety must always come first.'
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