Fireworks Safety
Nebraska Firework Laws, Safety Tips, and City Ordinances
Planning to use fireworks in Nebraska? Before lighting fireworks, it’s important to understand Nebraska fireworks laws, local city ordinances, and essential safety precautions. The National Safety Council – Nebraska Chapter works each year to educate families and communities about the risks associated with fireworks and how to celebrate safely. While attending a professional fireworks display is the safest option, individuals who choose to use consumer fireworks should follow Nebraska law, local regulations, and proven firework safety practices to reduce the risk of injury and property damage.
Quick Answers: Nebraska Firework Laws
Are Fireworks Legal in Nebraska?
Yes, many consumer fireworks are legal in Nebraska. However, certain fireworks are prohibited under state law. Only fireworks approved for sale in Nebraska may be purchased or used. It is illegal to transport prohibited fireworks into the state. For a complete list of legal and illegal fireworks, visit the Nebraska State Fire Marshal website.
When Can Fireworks Be Sold in Nebraska?
Under Nebraska law, consumer fireworks may only be sold:
- June 24 – July 5
- December 28 – January 1
Cities and counties may adopt stricter regulations. Always check your local city ordinance (see below) before purchasing or using fireworks.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Use Fireworks in Nebraska?
Nebraska law states:
- Individuals age 16 and older may possess, use, and discharge consumer fireworks
Youth ages 12 to 15 may use fireworks only while under the immediate supervision of an adult age 19 or older
Firework Injury Statistics
Fireworks can cause serious injuries in a matter of seconds. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:
- There were 11 reported fireworks-related deaths in 2024
- There were an estimated 14,700 emergency room-treated injuries involving fireworks in 2024
- Deaths rose by 38%, and injuries by 52%, when compared to 2023
- The two age groups most frequently injured were 25 to 44 old adults (32%) and 15-24 year olds (24%)
- In 2024, the parts of the body most often injured by fireworks were hands and fingers (an estimated 36% of injuries) along with head, face, and ears (an estimated 22%)
- About 37% of the emergency department-treated fireworks-related injuries in 2024 were for burns
Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission
Firework Safety Tips
If you choose to use consumer fireworks, follow these safety recommendations:
Before Lighting Fireworks
- Only use fireworks where they are legal. Only use fireworks that are legal where you are shooting them, and be sure you are shooting on dates that are legal in your city. Don’t import fireworks from another state or city to use locally – they may not be legal where you are. Buy locally to be sure fireworks are both legal and safe.
- Use fireworks outdoors only. This includes sparklers and snakes. All fireworks burn, and can quickly start a house fire. When outdoors, be sure there is enough room to point fireworks away from spectators, houses, buildings, and flammable materials.
- Read and follow all manufacturer instructions.
- Keep a bucket of water or garden hose nearby.
- Use fireworks only outdoors in a clear area away from homes, vehicles, dry grass, and combustible materials.
- Never allow young children to handle fireworks – even sparklers! Children using fireworks should be at least 12 years old, and always closely supervised. 20% of fireworks injuries to children are caused by sparklers!
- Have a first aid kit ready and waiting.
While Using Fireworks
- Never hold lit fireworks in your hand.
- Light one firework at a time.
- Move away immediately after lighting.
- Never point fireworks toward people, animals, homes, or vehicles.
- Never attempt to relight a malfunctioning firework. Wait at least 20 minutes before handling a dud, then soak it in water before disposing of the dud.
- Avoid using fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- Don’t allow running or horseplay by anyone near fireworks.
- Use a “designated shooter” who is alcohol free and wearing safety glasses! Light one device at a time, and keep a safe distance once a firework is lit. Don’t light fireworks in containers.
- Use launching fireworks in open areas only to ensure they don’t land on top of buildings and houses. Especially those with natural (cedar) type shingles.
After Fireworks Are Finished
- Soak used fireworks in water before disposal.
- Check the area for smoldering debris.
- Dispose of fireworks according to local waste regulations.
City Ordinances
Hidden Item
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Omaha
Fireworks can be sold in the City of Omaha from June 28th through July 4th each year ONLY with a city issued permit.
Fireworks in Omaha city limits are legally allowed to be fired by residents from 12 p.m. noon to 11 p.m. July 2nd through July 4th and over the New Year’s holiday, from 5 p.m. on New Year’s Eve until 1 a.m. on New Year’s Day.
Source: Omaha Municipal Code
Papillion
In Papillion, consumer fireworks may not be sold at retail or discharged except from June 25 through July 4 and only during the hours of 8 a.m. through 10 p.m. except that on July 4 consumer fireworks may be discharged and sold from 8 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. of each year. Consumer fireworks may also be sold at retail or discharged from December 29 through December 31 and only during the hours of 8 a.m. through 10 p.m. except that on December 31 consumer fireworks may be discharged and sold from 8 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. of each year.
Source: https://www.papillion.org/301/City-Ordinances
La Vista
La Vista residents may use fireworks between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. June 25th through July 2nd. On July 3rd and 4th, fireworks may be discharged 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Source: http://www.cityoflavista.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/445
Bellevue
Unless first expressly approved by the city council it shall be unlawful to sell or discharge fireworks in this city except between:
- 8:00am to 10:00pm on any day from June 25 through July 3
- 8:00am to 12 midnight on July 4 and
- 9:00pm on December 31 to 12:30am on January 1
Source: https://www.bellevue.net/information/faq?QuestionID=39&AFMID=592
Gretna
Permissible fireworks may not be discharged except from June 25 through July 5 and December 29 through January 1 and only during the hours of 8:00 a.m. through 10:00 p.m., except that on July 4 and December 31, permissible fireworks may be discharged from 10:00 a.m. through 12:00 midnight.
Source: http://www.gretnane.org/DocumentCenter/View/31/Chapter-8—Fire-Regulations-PDF
Hidden Item
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Lincoln
Fireworks can only be sold and discharged in Lincoln from 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. on July 3 and from 8 a.m. – 11:59 p.m. on July 4.
Grand Island
Permissible fireworks may be sold or offered for sale in the City of Grand Island on June 28 through and including July 4 of each year. Permissible fireworks may only be sold during the following times: June 28 through July 4
Grand Island City Code allows fireworks to be discharged only on the following dates and times: June 28 through July 2 – 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., July 3 – 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., July 4 – 8:00 a.m. to midnight
Source: https://www.grand-island.com/page/fireworks-safetyhours
Columbus
Fireworks discharge is only permitted in the city from June 25- July 3 8am to 11pm and July 4 8 am to 12am midnight; December 29 to December 30: 8:00 am to 12:00 am and December 31 to January 1: 8:00 am to 1:00am.
Source: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/columbus/latest/columbus_ne/0-0-0-6345
Norfolk
Fireworks discharge is only permitted in the city from June 25- July 3 8am to 11pm and July 4 8 am to 12am midnight; December 29 to December 30: 8:00 am to 12:00 am and December 31 to January 1: 8:00 am to 1:00am.
Source: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/columbus/latest/columbus_ne/0-0-0-6345
Scottsbluff
Consumer fireworks may be sold at retail only between June 25 at 12:01 a.m. and July 4 at 11:59 p.m., and December 29 at 12:01 a.m. and December 31 at 11:59 p.m. each year and may be discharged only between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. June 25 through July 3, and 8:00 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. July 4, and between 4:30 p.m. December 31 and 12:30 a.m. January 1.
Source: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/scottsbluffne/latest/scottsbluff_ne/0-0-0-4157