Weston reminds residents of fireworks law ahead of holiday

Setting off fireworks is a common part of many American's fourth of July celebrations.

However those living in Weston will need to leave the city limits to celebrate legally.

"The way our ordinance is wrote it prohibits the discharging of essentially all consumer fireworks within the city,"

Weston chief of police Josh Thomas says their ordinance, now in its second year, came in response to new state firework laws allowing for the use of bigger and potentially more dangerous fire works.

"The state had changed the fireworks laws to where now you can own and discharge a lot bigger fireworks than what you could before,"

These types of large grade fireworks can cause big safety issues- especially in small towns such as Weston.

"It's actually a fire prevention ordinance, because the houses are so close together," Chief Thomas said "Some of the houses are older and made of drier materials, so it really wouldn't take a lot for them to catch fire,"

While there are minor exceptions made, such as the use of sparklers, the ordinance holds all summer season-not making exceptions for July 4th.

But the presence of firework tents inside the city limits has caused some confusion among residents.

"You can buy them and sell them within the city, you just can't discharge them, and I think that creates some confusion for people",

Chief Thomas says he's seen people call the rule unenforceable, and while they can't prevent every incident the chief says his force will be patrolling.

"Our Facebook page there was a comment that it won't be enforced, well the officers are out there, the ordinance will be enforced," said Chief Thomas "But 100% compliance is just unreasonable,"

And if you are caught breaking the ordinance, you will face a fee ranging from $100 to $500 on top of the hefty price of the fireworks you've already paid for.

So if Weston residents are set on enjoying their own fireworks this season there are still plenty of areas within the county where they can safely and legally set them off.

Even those living outside of Weston should check their city ordinances to make sure their celebration doesn't come with an unexpected cost.