Fireworks flying off shelves as Georgia gears up for New Year’s

December 29, 2016 - Roswell - Karl Kroeppler (right) from Woodstock, and Paul Grupe, from Canton, pick out fireworks. Shoppers browse the aisles of Phantom Fireworks of Rowsell for New Year’s celebrations. A drought released fireworks ban was repealed. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

Credit: Bob Andres

Credit: Bob Andres

December 29, 2016 - Roswell - Karl Kroeppler (right) from Woodstock, and Paul Grupe, from Canton, pick out fireworks. Shoppers browse the aisles of Phantom Fireworks of Rowsell for New Year’s celebrations. A drought released fireworks ban was repealed. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

Two years into legal fireworks in Georgia - and heading into New Year's Eve - retailers say sales look strong.

"People are coming in really excited," said Chris Day, assistant manager at Phantom Fireworks in Roswell.

Consumer fireworks became legal in Georgia in 2015 and a slew of stores have popped up eager to fulfill customer's sparkly needs. The demand has grown as more people have learned about the new law.

"A lot of people didn't know they were legal last year," said Collin Langley, regional manager for the company.

New Year's Eve day sees the strongest customer turnout at Phantom's five metro Atlanta stores, he said.

"People are procrastinators," he said.

Last week, Gov. Nathan Deal lifted a ban on fireworks sales, which was put in place earlier this year amid drought conditions. The governor rescinded the executive order Dec. 20 after rain in much of the state.

Since 2015, customers can legally purchase sparklers, bottle rockets, roman candles and more without having to drive to Florida, Alabama, South Carolina or Tennessee. At Phantom, most people start with an assortment pack - which ranges in price from about $50 to $1,500 - decide what they like best, and come back to buy more.

"People always want to outdo the previous year," he said.

At Sky King Fireworks in Smyrna, owner Chris Yozwiak said their artillery shells shoot off the shelves. A pack of 24 sells for about $200.

The nationwide chain has three stores in Georgia, which all opened in the last two years. Sales are up from last year, and the last two days of the year are usually the busiest, he said.

When the bill, HB 110, legalizing fireworks passed, the state Senate estimated 1,000 new jobs would be created. Another bill, HB 727, enacted this April, limits the times and places fireworks can be set off. On New Year's, fireworks can be set off until 1 a.m. while on normal days Georgians have to stop the pyrotechnics at 9 p.m.

The law also bans people from igniting fireworks on roads and highways and within 100 yards of hospitals, nursing home, prisons and power plants, and some local governments have passed regulations.

In November, Georgia voters approved Amendment 4, which adds a 5 percent tax on the sale of fireworks. Money collected from the tax will be set aside for trauma care, fire protection services and public safety.

Those playing with sparklers need to be careful.

Glenn Allen, a spokesman for the Office of Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner, said there were 59 fireworks-related incidents reported in 2015. Across the country, fireworks are estimated to have been involved in 10,500 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments in 2014, according to Consumer Product Safety Commission statistics.

High-profile incidents like the one involving Giants' star Jason Pierre-Paul have led to increased awareness for fireworks safety. Pierre-Paul lost part of his right hand after a firework exploded in his hand at a Fourth of July celebration in 2015.

To avoid a tragedy, the office advises only using fireworks outdoors, away from buildings and cars. Never try to relight a firework, and keep a bucket of water or hose nearby. Wear safety goggles, and never let kids light fireworks.

Both the Roswell Phantom Fireworks and Sky King Fireworks plan to stay open till at least 11 p.m. Saturday night.

While New Year's and the Fourth of July are traditionally big days for fireworks, Phantom has seen customers coming in throughout the fall for holidays such as the Hindu festival of Diwali and Guy Fawkes Day.

"You can celebrate anything with fireworks," Day said.