Memorial Day Weekend in South Carolina: What You Need to Know About Fireworks, Safety, and Local Laws

Memorial Day weekend in the Lowcountry brings BBQs, parades, and most importantly, fireworks. Families in the Charleston area have observed Memorial Day weekend this way for as long as most people can remember. In fact, people from other states often come down to the area to stock up on fireworks. 

However, it is important to understand that this year’s weather necessitates extra caution. The SC Forestry Commission only recently lifted its statewide burning ban on May 1, 2026. The ban was in effect for about 5 weeks due to an extended drought. Despite the lift, fire officials continue to warn residents that the danger remains. Most of the state is still dry, so a small spark can create serious damage. Here’s what Charleston, Goose Creek, and Summerville residents should know before they start their Memorial Day weekend events. 

Where Can You Buy Fireworks in South Carolina?

The repurposed shipping containers, pop-up tents, and handmade signs are a common sight along major South Carolina roadways in June, as vendors set up ahead of the Fourth of July season. While some of these may be operated by reputable, licensed companies, many are not. Spotting the difference before purchasing fireworks is important.

Lowcountry Fireworks is a local fireworks retailer serving the Charleston area, with a North Charleston location offering in-store and online shopping. Fireworks retailers across the Charleston tri-county area see a surge in holiday traffic in the days leading up to July 4th and New Year’s Eve.

Wherever you shop, a few things separate a legitimate retailer from a sketchy one:

• A visible South Carolina Pyrotechnic Safety license posted on site (The South Carolina State Fire Marshal, operating under SC Code Title 23, Chapter 35, regulates pyrotechnic displays and retailers in South Carolina.’ If LLR oversight is to be cited, add a direct reference to the specific LLR division (e.g., the Office of State Fire Marshal, which is housed within LLR) and the applicable statutory authority.)
• Original manufacturer packaging with intact warning labels.
• Staff who can answer basic questions about what a product does before you walk out with it.

If a stand cannot tell you what is in the box, that is your sign to keep driving.

South Carolina Fireworks Laws: What Is Legal and What Is Not

South Carolina law permits the sale and use of many consumer fireworks, but certain types are prohibited, local ordinances may impose additional restrictions, and statewide burn bans can temporarily suspend outdoor use. Residents should check current local rules before purchasing or using fireworks. It isn’t an anything-goes situation. 

SC Code Title 23, Chapter 35 (Section 23-35-130) prohibits the manufacture, storage, transport, or possession of fireworks containing pyrotechnic composition in excess of two grains that are designed to produce a loud and piercing effect — including devices commonly known as ‘ground salutes,’ ‘cherry bombs,’ M-80s, T-N-T salutes, and ‘bulldog salutes,’ among similar items. 

SC Code Title 23, Chapter 35 also prohibits items forbidden for transportation by regulations of the Interstate Commerce Commission or the U.S. Department of Transportation, or their successors. Under SC Code Title 23, Chapter 35, South Carolina regulates fireworks, including licensing and safety standards for retailers and storage. Readers should verify the current administrative authority, including whether the State Fire Marshal operates under the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, directly with the SC Legislature website or the relevant state agency.

Age and Use Restrictions

South Carolina law prohibits the sale of fireworks to anyone under the age of 16. Adult supervision is expected anytime minors are anywhere near them, and that expectation matters in any later injury claim. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has documented that children younger than 15 account for a significant share of fireworks injuries each year.

Understanding Local Rules

State law sets a floor, but cities and counties can layer their own restrictions on top. If you live in North Charleston, Summerville, or Goose Creek, you may venture off to a nearby town like Myrtle Beach for the holiday weekend. In Myrtle Beach, fireworks are not prohibited in public spaces and public beaches. Each city has its own ordinances regulating where and when fireworks can be discharged. Under a 2022 ordinance update, fireworks are permitted on private property within city limits, subject to time and manner restrictions, with a $250 fine for first-offense violations on the beach or public property.

The penalty for violating a local ordinance can range from a fine to misdemeanor charges if the discharge causes harm or property damage. The best move? Call your local fire marshal or city clerk before lighting anything off in your driveway.

Safety First: Preventing Fireworks Injuries and House Fires

The Consumer Product Safety Commission tracked an estimated 14,700 fireworks-related ER visits in the United States in 2024. That was a 52 percent jump from 2023, the biggest single-year increase in two decades, and 11 people died. 

Burns made up 37 percent of those ER visits. Hands and fingers were the most commonly injured body parts at 36 percent, followed by the head, face, and ears at 22 percent. Sparklers alone accounted for roughly 1,700 of those ER visits, which surprises many parents who hand them to small children.

Basic Firework Safety Practices

If you are going to use fireworks at home:

• Keep a bucket of water and a charged garden hose within arm’s reach.
• Light one device at a time, then back up immediately.
• Never lean over a firework, especially one that has not gone off as expected. Wait at least 20 minutes, then soak it in water before disposing of it.
• Keep spectators well back, and never aim fireworks at people, pets, or structures.
• Skip the alcohol. Impaired judgment is a recurring factor in serious fireworks injuries.

Pay attention to this one if you live in the Charleston area. The statewide burning ban was lifted on May 1, but most of the Lowcountry is still in a drought, and local fire officials haven’t stopped warning people about it. Spent fireworks land on pine straw, palmetto debris, dry grass, wood-shingle roofs. They can sit there smoldering for hours before anybody notices smoke.

Homeowners and renters insurance questions come up after just about every Memorial Day weekend. Coverage varies by policy. The South Carolina Department of Insurance publishes a general overview on fireworks-related claims, worth reading before the holiday. 

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for advice from your insurance carrier or attorney. 

Fireworks and Their Impact on Pets and Wildlife

Fireworks don’t just affect the people setting them off. Vets and animal shelters across the country see a spike in lost-pet reports and stress-related cases every July, and Memorial Day weekend gives them a preview. Noise-sensitive dogs and cats can panic. They’ll bolt through screen doors and clear fences they wouldn’t normally jump.

A few things pet owners can do:

• Bring pets inside well before sunset, even if they normally live outdoors.
• Create a quiet, enclosed space with familiar bedding, ambient noise, or a TV on low.
• Make sure ID tags and microchips are up to date. Update the registered phone number and address if you have moved.
• Talk to your vet ahead of time about anxiety medication for severely affected animals.
• Watch for stray or panicked animals in your neighborhood and report them to local animal services.

Wildlife is affected too. Loud reports near the marshes can disorient nesting shorebirds and disturb other animals along the Lowcountry coast.

Memorial Day Events and Professional Fireworks Shows in the Charleston Area

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has said the same thing year after year: the safest way to enjoy fireworks is to watch a professional display. Licensed pyrotechnicians are trained, the devices are commercial-grade, and firing distances are calculated for crowd safety. A backyard setup can’t compete with any of that.

North Charleston, Goose Creek, and Summerville all host Memorial Day weekend events or sit near summer fireworks shows. Harbor displays. Community celebrations. Festival shows at local parks. For most families, a professional show means a better view, a better experience, and a much smaller chance of ending the night in the MUSC ER. Plan parking ahead of time. Get there early. Bring water and ear protection for the younger kids.

What To Do If Someone Is Hurt by a Firework

If a fireworks injury happens at your gathering or to someone close to you, the first few minutes count:

1. Call 911 for any burn beyond minor, any eye injury, or any wound to the hand or face.
2. Do not apply ice directly to a burn. Cool running water for several minutes is the standard first-aid recommendation.
3. Do not try to remove debris embedded in an eye or in a wound. Cover lightly and wait for paramedics.
4. Photograph the scene, the device, the packaging, and the injury once the person is stable.
5. Save any remaining product, packaging, and receipts. Defective fireworks have been the subject of recalls and product liability claims.

If the injury happened on someone else’s property, at a poorly maintained rental, or because a defective product malfunctioned, you may have a claim. South Carolina premises liability law allows injured guests to recover when an owner’s negligence contributes to the harm, such as failing to clear obvious fire hazards or to warn about known dangers. Product liability law covers claims where a firework was defective, mislabeled, or unreasonably dangerous as designed.

Injured This Memorial Day Weekend? Contact Steinberg Law Firm

For nearly 100 years, the firm has represented injured people across the Lowcountry. Every year, we see what can happen when a Memorial Day celebration goes wrong. Fireworks are a Charleston tradition, and they can stay one, but only if everyone pays attention to the rules and the risks.

Bring the dog inside before it gets dark. Pets who seem fine usually aren’t once the booms start. The older vet two houses down? Knock on his door or text his daughter. A lot of veterans really struggle with this weekend, and the sound is worse than people give it credit for. Check the burn-risk update from your fire marshal before you light anything off. It only takes a minute, and it can save a roof. When in doubt, go to a professional show and skip the home setup entirely.

Contact Steinberg Law Firm if you or a loved one is injured this Memorial Day weekend because someone else was negligent or a defective product malfunctioned. The initial consultation is free, and we’ll talk through your options. With more than 1,000 Google reviews and over 700 5-star reviews, Lowcountry families have trusted our team for generations. Call 843-720-2800.