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The final fireworks sales season of the year kicked off this week, so the State Fire  Marshal’s Office (SFM) wants to encourage all Louisiana residents to not only be safe when using  fireworks, but knowledgeable when buying them. 

More than 500 retail fireworks permits have been issued for this end-of-the-year season, as it is state law  for wholesale and retail fireworks business operators to be appropriately licensed by the SFM, in the  parishes and municipalities where they are legally allowed. The sales season extends through 11:59 p.m.  on Jan. 1. 

The SFM encourages, first and foremost, that families choose to enjoy public fireworks displays over  creating their own. However, if purchasing fireworks is your preference, we advise families to be mindful  of whether the stand they are purchasing from has been permitted by this office. You can request to see  permitting information from any retail fireworks business you patron. The SFM encourages reporting any  suspicious or illegal sales of fireworks to 1-800-256-5452 or by visiting our website, lasfm.org. 

In addition, we want everyone to enjoy fireworks in the safest way possible. Some of the top ways to do  that are: 

• Detonating devices at least 200 feet away from structures, vehicles and rubbish • Never allowing children to light fireworks 

• Never operating fireworks while impaired 

• Lighting devices one at a time and monitoring embers released with a bucket of water or hose  nearby 

• Discarding detonated items by wetting them down to prevent reignition and not disposing of them  in a trash container immediately