With Independence Day celebrations coming right up, and fireworks retailers popping up all over on the Southside of Oneonta, it's a good idea to know what is legal to light up and what isn't.

The NYS Division of Homeland Security states that the only type of fireworks that are legal to set off are sparkling devices.  That includes "ground based or handheld devices that produce a shower of colored sparks and or a colored flame, audible crackling or whistling noise and smoke. The law limits the type, size and construction of Sparkling Devices and requires that these devices must be hand held or mounted on a base or spike and be limited in sizes that range from 1 to 500 grams of pyrotechnic composition."

Keep in mind that all other types of consumer fireworks, including firecrackers, bottle rockets, roman candles, spinners and aerial devices, remain illegal statewide. It's also important to note that no one under the age of 18 is allowed to handle fireworks, not even sparklers.

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