Check your Valley city's guidelines before lighting up fireworks

TEMPE, AZ - Celebrating Independence Day with a bang can be a tempting activity, but be sure to follow city guidelines to avoid penalties and potential danger.

While selling consumer fireworks at seasonal stands and stores is legal, Arizona cities still have the right to ban the use of certain products within their boundaries.

Novelty fireworks like handheld sparklers, smoke devices, party poppers, snappers and snakes are allowed in Tempe.

Consumer fireworks like ground-based sparklers, cylindrical, square, cone or rocket shaped, are illegal in Tempe city limits. They're also illegal in Chandler, Phoenix and in Pinal County.

Apache Junction has no restrictions.

Residents in unincorporated areas in Maricopa County can use consumer fireworks on private property.

Aerial roman candles, firecrackers, sky rockets and bottle rockets are not considered consumer fireworks and are still illegal.

If you are caught violating the ordinance, you face a minimum fine of $250.

Glendale and Litchfield Park are the only communities that allow private fireworks.

Gilbert, Mesa and Queen Creek allow certain fireworks on private property, but only on holidays such as July 4.

State law prohibits the sale of fireworks to anyone under the age of 16.