Fireworks on sale starting Tuesday

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The areas of Travis County which allow the sale of fireworks are back in business.

Because the Commissioners Court did not opt to put a ban in place similar to one that was imposed for the Fourth of July holiday because of the severe drought, fireworks sales will be allowed for New Year's celebrations.

"It has been busy," said Chester Davis, owner of American Fireworks. 

At the American Fireworks warehouse in Bastrop, workers are busy filling bulk order placed by owners of fireworks stands across Central Texas.

"Everybody has kind of waited until the last minute because everybody is afraid -- they're afraid the county may put them out of business," Davis added.

That is exactly what happened this past July when county commissioners voted to ban the sale and use of fireworks due to extreme drought, burn bans and an increasing number of brush fires breaking out.

Davis estimates he lost $6 million in sales during the summer as a result.  He laid off employees and those who did keep their jobs had to sell property or even their homes to stay afloat.

"It is going to take me five or six years to come back from what happened over the summer," Davis explained.

Davis hopes to make up a third of what he lost or $2,000,000.  He has a long road ahead considering a box of Black Cats retails for $3.95. He would have to sell more than 506,000 boxes of them.

Mary Grohoske drove down from Waco with her husband to buy fireworks in bulk.

"We bought a variety," said Grohoske who purchased about $1,000 worth. "We got firecrackers, Roman candles."

Supplies are already running low at the warehouse and vendors are having to pick alternatives to fulfill their orders.

"We are out of stuff," Davis said.

Grohoske anticipates sales will be explosive at roadside stands and warns consumers to come out and buy early.

Firework vendors can only sell 20 days out of the year and most of those days fall around July 4, Christmas and New Year's Eve.

Roadside stands can open Tuesday and sell through midnight Jan. 1.

Safety tips from Texas Pyrotechnic Association

• Buy fireworks only from licensed retail outlets
• Follow directions carefully - with close adult supervision
• Never experiment with homemade or altered fireworks
• Use fireworks outdoors, in a safe area away from dry grass and buildings
• Before you enjoy fireworks, get permission from the property owner
• Keep a bucket of water, wet towels and a garden hose nearby
• Light one firework at a time - then move back quickly!
• Never shoot fireworks from metal or glass containers
• Never carry fireworks in your pocket
• Never point or throw fireworks at people or animals