All fireworks must be supervised/conducted by a certified Pyrotechnic Operator. All requests for fireworks must be submitted a minimum of 60 days in advance. Requests submitted after the 60 day minimum will not be processed. Requestors must submit an insurance certificate with a minimum $1,000,000 in liability coverage. Please see the full application forms at the website listed below.
The use of fireworks at Appalachian State University may be conducted, only when the event has been approved and a permit has been secured through the Town of Boone and the NC Office of the State Fire Marshal. North Carolina Laws and State Fire Prevention Codes have set specific requirements for the use of fireworks (both indoor and outdoor). Any individual/group/organization seeking to use fireworks on/in any Appalachian State University property must submit the attached permit application and accompanying information to the University Safety Office a minimum of sixty days prior to the event. Safety Office personnel will submit the information packet to Town of Boone officials and the NC Department of Insurance/Office of the State Fire Marshal for permit approval. Appropriate permits must be issued before the use of fireworks will be allowed. Submiting an application does not guarantee that a permit request will be approved. Please review the requirements for submitting a permit request.
Note: The requesting party will bear the responsibility to secure/provide traffic control, crowd control, fire department standby or other service related issues as requested/required by local or state officials.
This document is intended to provide assistance/direction to those seeking to use fireworks on/in Appalachian State University properties. This is not an all-inclusive document and additional information/procedures may be required at the discretion of Safety Office personnel, state or local officals or in accordance with North Carolina Laws and Code requirements.
Satefy Tips
Put safety in play if fireworks are part of your Fourth of July celebrations. A new Consumer Product Safety Commission study indicates that in 2009 there were two deaths and nearly 9,000 emergency room visits for injuries resulting from fireworks related incidents. Most fireworks injuries occurred to consumers younger than 20 and resulted in the loss of a limb in many cases. Consumers who decide to purchase legal fireworks are encouraged to take the following safety steps:
- Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
- Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
- Avoid buying fireworks that come in brown paper packaging, as this can often be a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and could pose a danger to consumers.
- Adults should always supervise fireworks activities. Parents often don't realize that there are many injuries from sparklers to children under five. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals.
- Never have any portion of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Move back to a safe distance immediately after lighting.
- Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not fully functioned.
- Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
- Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
- Light one item at a time then move back quickly.
- Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
- After fireworks fully complete their functioning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding to prevent a trash fire.
More Information
For more information on fireworks safety, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission's site or contact the Safety Office at 828-262-4008.