Fire officials warn of firework safety ahead of NYE

Before all the New Year's celebrations begin, fire officials are warning people to keep a few safety precautions in mind when it comes to fireworks. 

Fire officials estimate about 8,300 Americans end up in the hospital every year due to firework-related injuries. Half of them are younger than 15. 

At Round Rock's Legendary Fireworks, the shelves are fully stocked ahead of New Year’s.

"It's been pretty slow, for the first few days," said Jessica Pryor, owner of Legendary Fireworks. "It always is traditionally people wait until the last two days. We try to encourage people, come out early  cause then you're disappointed if you're missing out on something you're really wanting."

Pryor doesn't expect her family business to start seeing crowds until a little closer to New Year’s Eve, and when they do, they'll be ready.

"The big ones that we have up here are 500-gram cakes, we have some 200-gram cakes, we've got the reloadable, all the way down to just like the novelties like sparklers, little chickens, poopy puppies, tanks," said Pryor.

All the sparkles and colors of the New Year come just as Williamson County lifts a more than two-month-long burn ban.

"We are concerned, we're watching it, but we are in this window where it's kind of ideal if we're going to allow people to burn, it's the right time to do it," said Ronald Cunningham, the Williamson County assistant fire marshal.

Generally speaking, fireworks are illegal in most city limits, like Austin and Round Rock, while unincorporated parts of the county are fine.

"Some cities have a five-thousand-foot bubble outside of city limits that they enforce, and some cities don't, but anywhere in the unincorporated parts of Williamson County, it's legal to shoot fireworks," said Cunningham.

Shoot fireworks away from homes, people, tall grass, and brush, and let the adults handle it.

"Just be safe," said Cunningham. "Don't let kids shoot off fireworks unsupervised, and really it's probably best to limit that to the adults."

Because the only thing that should be at the forefront of 2025 are resolutions, whether you keep them or not.

"I think safety is the biggest thing, like just be smart," said Pryor. "I think most of us know the common sense things, and it's just a time to enjoy and reflect and maybe start the new year off the right way. Let's be safe with them, it's such a fun tradition."

 Don't forget about your pets either.

Make sure they're inside and locked away.

Shelters tend to see high rates of stray dogs because loud noises scare them away from home.

When you're done shooting fireworks, pick up what's on the ground and let it soak in a metal bucket.

Williamson County offers an interactive map that shows where fireworks are legal.