It would not be July Fourth without them, but buyers better be careful when purchasing fireworks because just about anything that moves, spins or projects is illegal in North Carolina.
The most popular legal fireworks are smoke bombs, sparklers and volcanos, but even those can be dangerous for kids. For example, sparklers burn at 1,200 degrees.
"We don't let any of the children handle the fireworks that could cause harm," says parent Barry Klinger. "Anything that's explosive or anything like that is done by the adults. It's never done by the children."
While many North Carolina residents choose to buy their fireworks in-state, many others flock to South Carolina, where some of the most popular fireworks are still legal.
"They have more variety down here than they do in North Carolina," says fireworks customer Keith Wilbur, "and they're open year-round, some in North Carolina aren't open year-round."
The most popular South Carolina fireworks -- bottle rockets, firecrackers and roman candles -- are all illegal in the Tar Heel state. Anyone who gets caught with them in North Carolina will be charged with possession of illegal fireworks, a misdemeanor.
Anyone with questions about what is legal and illegal can call the local fire marshal's office.
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