The Fourth of July is coming up, and that means fireworks.

Lexington County Fire Services offered some tips on how to keep your friends, family and spectators safe while enjoying the holiday. 

Jason Smith, the county’s senior deputy fire marshall, told the Chronicle that the department gets a lot busier as fireworks stands start to open, often receiving calls regarding grass fires and some structural fires. He said fireworks should never be shot indoors for this reason..

“On the fourth of July I think we actually do stock our stations with more firefighters and brush trucks in certain areas,” Smith said. “Certain areas of the county are more prone to have fires than others because of vegetation. The rural areas are more likely to have that so we do have more firefighters on those stations.”

Smith said the county often receives medical calls as well from residents trying to light a firework in their hands. He told the Chronicle that is something you shouldn't do due to the risk of injury, adding that keeping your fireworks in your pocket can lead to accidental ignition.

When it comes to lighting the fireworks, Smith advised not to put your body over the firework and to never try and relight a dud.

“Always have your spectators seated at a safe distance away,” he said, “and when you are finished with your fireworks display or your shoot, just make sure that you take any of the remaining, even if it has been used, take all that and put it into a bucket water and let it soak before you dispose of it in a trash can.”

Smith said to always have a bucket of water or a garden hose ready to make sure the firework and all of its pieces are properly extinguished.

For large events, like the firework show on Lake Murray, Smith said that the county always has a deputy fire marshall on site to make sure everything is safe. Smith said that shows like this use fireworks residents are unable to purchase and that they have to be permitted to shoot those off, adding that this requires a licensed contractor.

During this year’s Lake Murray display, on July 1, the department will maintain a perimeter around the site to ensure everyone is safe.

“Please use the fireworks responsibly. Keep safe distances from the woods and keep your children safe and away from it.” Smith said “Have fun during the Fourth of July but just be extremely safe with fireworks.”

Regulations for fireworks vary across the municipalities in Lexington County. The county doesn’t currently restrict fireworks, though County Council is actively considering it.

July 4 Fireworks Rules

Town of Lexington

The town doesn’t prohibit fireworks but does have a noise ordinance – which it waives between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. on July 4.

West Columbia

The city waives its restriction on shooting off fireworks within its borders between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. on July 4.

Cayce

The city waives its restriction on shooting off fireworks within its borders from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on July 4.

Irmo

The town waives its restriction on discharging fireworks within its borders on July 4 between the hours of 7 p.m. and midnight.

Batesburg-Leesville

The town waives its restriction on shooting off fireworks within its borders from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on July 4.

Chapin

The town typically requires a permit to shoot or discharge fireworks within the town limits, but will not on July 4. All firework activity that day is required to cease before 11 p.m.

Columbia

Typically, discharging fireworks in the city is only prohibited between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. Those hours are altered on July 4 and 5, when people are only disallowed from discharging fireworks between the hours of 12:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. on July 5.