For many people, it wouldn’t be New Year’s Eve without fireworks. Even though New Year’s Eve has been a drizzly day, please be aware that Travis County is again in a severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. There also are ongoing limits on fireworks inside the city limits and in Travis County parks, and the Travis County Fire Marshal again issued a burn ban on Nov. 13.

If you want to see big fireworks, check out the municipal fireworks show on Auditorium Shores.

For a really big bang, check out Austin’s New Year 2013 at Auditorium Shores. The City of Austin’s family-friendly event will wrap up with an early New Year’s fireworks display at 10 p.m. If you want to see the fireworks but skip the crowds, the hill near the Main Building at St. Edward’s University is one of the best places in our area to watch the show.

If you use fireworks at home, please use only the varieties allowed within the city limits without a permit. Here’s a list from the Austin Fire Department.

Pyrotechnics:

• Snake, glowworm: Pressed pyrotechnic pellet that produces a large, snakelike ash. May not contain mercuric thiocyanate.
• Smoke device: Pyrotechnic tube or sphere that produces white or colored smoke.
• Wire sparkler: Wire coated with pyrotechnic composition that produces a shower of sparks upon ignition. May not contain magnesium.

Trick noisemakers:

• Party popper
• Booby trap
• Snapper
• Trick match
• Cigarette load
• Auto burglar alarm

Call 311 to report a nonemergency fireworks violation. Call 911 to report emergencies such as fires and crimes.

Have a safe and happy New Year!