Everyone – well, almost everyone – loves fireworks on July 4th. But just because sparklers and Roman candles are Independence Day traditions doesn’t mean you can light them up wherever or whenever you want.

The best rule of thumb when it comes to lighting fireworks is this: Fireworks are illegal in Alabama’s incorporated towns and cities but legal in many unincorporated areas unless a specific ordinance is in place to prevent them. Some areas have laws in place to limit the times fireworks can be lit or noise ordinances that apply, typically after 10 or 11 p.m.

Your local police or sheriff’s office can tell you about the specific laws in your particular area, including and time or location restrictions.

What’s legal in Alabama?

In Alabama, fireworks such as bottle rockets, fire crackers, sparklers, roman candles, smoke bombs, and wheels and spinners are allowed. Illegal ground salute fireworks with more than two-grains of explosives or any purchased via mail order are not allowed. Cherry Bombs, Silver Salutes, and M-80s have been banned by federal law since 1966 because of the large amounts of explosive composition they contain.

Anyone younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult in order to purchase fireworks. State law also prohibits fireworks from being sold to someone who appears “intoxicated or irresponsible.”

Fireworks season is limited in Alabama to a period between June 20 – July 10 and Dec. 15-Jan. 2.

It’s also illegal to sell fireworks from tents, from a car or from a trailer pulled by a car. Mobile homes are OK, as long as the buildings are at least 8 feet wide and 32 feet long and the wheels on the bottom have been removed.

The vast majority of states allow some form of consumer fireworks. Three states – Illinois, Ohio and Vermont – only allow wire or wood stick sparklers or novelty items. Massachusetts bans all consumer fireworks.