VIRGINIA — Fireworks have been greatly deregulated since the turn of the century, and some types are now legal almost everywhere, including in Virginia, where consumers are allowed to buy at least some fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July.

In Virginia, firecrackers, skyrockets, torpedoes, and other fireworks that explode, travel laterally, rise into the air, or fire projectiles into the air are not permitted, according to the American Pyrotechnics Association. Some localities in Virginia have their own fireworks laws limiting which types can be used further.

Click on each county or city name to see more information on what fireworks are permitted.

In Arlington, county officials release a list of acceptable fireworks and brands for consumers. Fireworks that explode, emit flames or travel off the ground are not permitted.

Fireworks are not allowed in Alexandria, unless during permitted professional shows.

The use of all consumer fireworks is illegal in Falls Church, as well as the sale of fireworks and explosives.

Any firework that "explodes, emits a flame or sparks higher than 12 feet, or performs as a projectile" is not allowed in Fairfax County. The possession of unapproved fireworks in Fairfax County is also prohibited.

Any use of firecracker, torpedo, pyrotechnic or skyrocket fireworks is not allowed. Sparklers, fountains, Pharoah's serpents, or caps for pistols, or to pinwheels commonly known as whirligigs or spinning jennies, are allowed.

Sparklers and ground-based fountains are permitted on private property.

Fireworks that are projectiles, explode, and flame or spark to a distance greater than five meters are not allowed. Sparklers, fountains, Pharaoh's serpents, caps for pistols, or pinwheels commonly known as whirligigs or spinning jennies are allowed.

The fire marshal has approved sparklers, fountains, pharaoh's serpents, caps for pistols, and pinwheels commonly known as whirligigs or spinning jennies.

Sparklers, fountains, Pharaoh's serpents, caps for pistols and pinwheels (commonly known as whirligigs), and spinning jennies are permitted.

In some areas, fireworks are not just for Independence Day, either. Many states allow the setting off of fireworks in the days before and after major holidays.

The permissive atmosphere around fireworks regulation isn't universal, though. In states that permit consumer fireworks, counties and cities may adopt stricter codes and ordinances. And in extreme drought or high-wind conditions, local fire officials may prohibit them.

But although consumer fireworks are allowed in Virginia , they may not be allowed in every city.

Despite a loosening of fireworks laws elsewhere, Massachusetts has clung to its decades-long ban on consumer fireworks. A move tried but failed to put fireworks before voters in a referendum on the upcoming midterm elections ballot.

The strictest fireworks laws are in California, according to a map and list of state fireworks laws curated by Reader's Digest. Ground and handheld sparkling devices, cylindrical and cone fountains, wheel and ground spinners, illuminating torches, and certain flitter sparklers are legal for anyone over 16 from noon June 28 through noon July 6.

Firecrackers, Roman candles, chasers, wire and wooden stick sparklers, and skyrockets are still illegal.

Indiana has some of the most lenient laws. Anyone 18 or older can purchase and use fireworks whenever they want, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on non-holidays and later on holidays. All types of fireworks are legal as long as they meet U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission construction and labeling regulations.

Ohio is one of the latest states to ease restrictions on consumer fireworks. Effective July 1, Ohioans will be able to discharge fireworks as long as they do so while sober and in a safe manner.

States with stricter fireworks laws have cited data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission that shows thousands of people are injured in fireworks-related accidents every year, with multiple deaths reported as well.

In 2019 — a normal, pre-pandemic year for fireworks displays — about 10,000 fireworks injuries were treated in hospital emergency rooms. Fireworks-related deaths totaled 12 in that year, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

Fireworks have always been part of Independence Day celebrations. After the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, that Independence Day "ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shews, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forever more."

The first Independence Day fireworks display occurred on July 4, 1777. They came in only one color — orange — back then, according to the Smithsonian Institution. Today, they light up the sky with red, white and blue, the color of the U.S. flag, but also across the spectrum of color.

At the turn of the century, about a third of fireworks displays were professional shows, according to Scientific American.

Since then, states have gradually deregulated fireworks, partly to tap lost tax revenue from residents crossing state lines to buy fireworks in states with more-lenient laws, but also because of lax enforcement.

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