Legal Fireworks Available in Select Counties for One Week

NEW YORK STATE – For some people, there is a bright spot to Christmas being over. For the next week, fireworks can be legally purchased in New York State.

However, only counties who have opted-in are allowed to sell them.

In Central New York, the North Country and the Southern Tier, that includes Herkimer, Madison, Lewis, Steuben, Cortland, Chemung, Schuyler, Tioga, St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties.

Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a law in 2014 allowing the sale of sparklers and fireworks.

A director with the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York says they’re against the legislation and are collecting data from previous incidents involving fireworks to repeal it.

“We’re adamantly opposed to the legalization of sparklers anywhere in the state of New York, for the public safety of the residents, the homes, the properties in the state of New York,” FASNY Director Edward Tase said. “It’s very dangerous.”

The current law prohibits the sale of novelty fireworks to anyone under 18 years of age.

The aforementioned counties are able to sell them until Jan. 2.