There are just a few days until one of the biggest holiday celebrations of the year.
Fireworks will be going off all weekend, but for some, they may not know what's illegal and legal in our state.
Pine Knoll Shores Police Chief Ryan Thompson said if you bring in fireworks from out of state, there's a chance they are illegal. He said he has seen issues in the past with people firing off illegal fireworks in North Carolina.
It's that time of year when fireworks light up the night sky, but lighting the wrong ones could cost you if the ones you shoot off are illegal in the state.
"We try to follow the law and these don't leave the ground, and we have just a good enough time with these to stay safe," Al Russomano said.
Thompson said while there aren't any restrictions on where you can shoot fireworks in the area, there are a lot of issues when it comes to vacationers bringing in illegal fireworks.
"They shoot fireworks all the time throughout the year, whether it's legal or not. We have a variety of issues every year of property damage or fires being caused inland or on the beach. Those are pretty common issues we face around this time," Thompson said.
Morehead City Police Chief David Kelly said many folks think firecrackers can be used here, but they can't.
"Your firecrackers, M80s, basically anything that will explode or launch into the air are illegal. What you can use or bring into the state, however, is things like sparklers, smoke snakes, items such as that," Kelly said.
Both chiefs said they will be increasing staff during the 4th of July weekend and will be monitoring people to make sure they aren't setting off illegal fireworks.
That's something visitors said they are okay with.
"It's a great time with the kids, we always try to be safe," Russomano said.
Thompson said people should avoid using fireworks on the beach due to dry weather conditions. If you do cause damage or fire off illegal fireworks, you could be charged by police.