It’s easy to get carried away on the Fourth of July. On the 250th anniversary? It seems even more likely.

Before you overdo it, here’s what to know about firing off a pyrotechnic display in your own backyard.

Fireworks are legal in Maine, with some exceptions for missile-type rockets, cherry bombs and other aggressive explosives.

No state law prohibits good, old-fashioned, low-explosive fireworks.

In central Maine, city clerks, code enforcement employees and municipal ordinances spell out what’s allowed.

Some local ordinances prohibit private fireworks displays that don’t have a state permit. Getting a state fireworks permit requires at least 20 days’ notice. So if you haven’t planned that far ahead, these are the rules to follow.

In Waterville and Augusta, using and selling fireworks is banned by ordinances.

In Augusta, there’s an exception for those with permits from the city, which is how the capital hosts its annual firework display at Mill Park. In Waterville, only a state permit can get you permission to set off fireworks.

Hallowell restricts all fireworks displays in its downtown area and historic district, which are densely populated and tree-filled. In the rest of the city, you just need a permit from the fire department or the state, and to follow some basic rules — like standing 100 feet away from the fireworks display and not drinking alcohol before or while using fireworks.

In Gardiner, an ordinance prohibits using or selling fireworks, with the exception of novelty fireworks and sparklers that were legal in Maine before it fully legalized consumer fireworks in 2012. On the Fourth of July (and New Year’s Eve) in Gardiner, state-permitted fireworks shows can go on until midnight. On any other day, they’re limited to between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Those caught violating these regulations could be subject to citations and civil penalties.

If these rules are all a bit too restrictive for your plans, Skowhegan could be the place to be. Skowhegan’s ordinance restricts consumer fireworks, but it’s much more closely aligned with the state’s laws.

Skowhegan’s ordinance requires that people avoid public property, forego fireworks on days with high fire danger, have permission from owners and dwellers of buildings within 100 yards of the fireworks and clean up after themselves.

To be safe, its always a good idea to call a town or city’s local fire department before setting off fireworks to confirm the rules.