With Independence Day celebrations approaching, the Indiana State Fire Marshal is reminding Hoosiers about the safe and legal ways to buy fireworks.

“Safety should be the first consideration for anyone planning to use fireworks, and that starts with only buying consumer-grade fireworks from authorized sellers,” said State Fire Marshal Jim Greeson.

Greeson says fireworks should only be purchased from retailers with valid Indiana fireworks sales permits issued by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s Fire and Building Safety Division.

If a fireworks retailer is not displaying a copy of its permit and cannot present it, citizens can call the IDHS Division of Fire and Building Safety at 317-232-2222 to verify a retailer’s permit or report a retailer without a permit.

Greeson says Hoosiers should also keep the following in mind:

• By law, fireworks cannot be sold to or purchased by anyone younger than 18.
• Consider buying glow sticks instead of sparklers for young children. Sparklers can burn at temperatures hot enough to melt glass.
• Check packages and labels to make sure only 1.4G consumer fireworks are purchased; any other types of fireworks are illegal for consumer sales or purchases in Indiana, and may be more explosive and dangerous.
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place out of the reach of children.

The State of Indiana offers more information about fireworks safety online.