Because of laws in North Carolina, many are heading south of the border to buy fireworks. Meanwhile, fire officials warn even the legal ones can be dangerous this year.
FORT MILL, S.C. -- As the last weekend before the July 4 weekend wrapped up, people rushed to fireworks stores in South Carolina to stock up.
Laws in many states north of the Palmetto State, including North Carolina, make most types of fireworks illegal, forcing a number of people into stores in border cities such as Fort Mill, S.C.
"We definitely count on the people in North Carolina and all the people north," said Ryland Kieffer, the owner of Fireworks World in Fort Mill, adding they typically see customers coming from as far away as Maine. "We have a few customers from South Carolina, but most of our customer base is north of the border."
Jay Jones, who just moved to Concord from New York, bought fireworks from Kieffer's store Sunday.
"It's the Fourth of July, so it'll be something that'll be nice and fun for the kids," he said. "Fireworks are illegal 100 percent up there, but down here you can at least get certain ones that are safe."
Fireworks that can spin, leave the ground or fly through the air are not allowed in North Carolina. Ones that are legal include sparklers, fountains and smoke devices. People setting off illegal fireworks can face a $500 fine and jail time.
Firefighters said, because of the drought, even the legal ones could be dangerous this year.
"The winds blow during the day, it dries everything out, so it just increases the chances of things catching on fire," said Kevin Stines, with the Charlotte Fire Department.