Local Montgomery County agencies are encouraging the use of safe firework practices during the Fourth of July holiday weekend amid increased enforcement efforts.

What residents need to know

While fireworks are allowed in the unincorporated areas of Montgomery County, municipalities within the county as well as The Woodlands have rules in effect banning the use and selling of fireworks within their limits, including:

• Conroe
• Magnolia
• Montgomery
• Roman Forest
• Tomball
• The Woodlands Township
• Willis

Individuals caught discharging fireworks within city boundaries can be ticketed and fined by local law enforcement. However, a number of firework shows will be available across Montgomery County for residents to watch across the Greater Houston region.

What else?

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office also encouraged residents to avoid celebratory gunfire, which poses a risk of falling projectiles that can harm others.

"It's not just illegal; it's incredibly dangerous and can have deadly consequences," MCSO officials said in a news release. "Our call volume goes way up during holidays, and our top priority is the safety of everyone in our county and their property."

Officials with the sheriff's office also said since fireworks are legal within unincorporated areas of the county, they cannot stop residents from discharging fireworks if they are outside city limits.

Residents are also encouraged by MCSO to call 911 in the event of an emergency, and contact the nonemergency number at 936-538-5900 for other issues.