They're a Fourth of July favorite.

“Smoke bombs, the crackers; I like the fountains. Sparklers are good," said Dalton Haas as he and his family shopped in a Wheeling firework tent.

Firework tents are popping up across the Valley, adding an element of sparkle to many families' Independence Day celebrations. But fireworks laws vary from state to state.

In Ohio, Steubenville firefighters said it's legal to purchase explosives, but you can't set them off.

"When you buy it you sign a form. You say ‘I will have this out of the state of Ohio within 24 hours,’" said firefighter Chris Allen.

But don't take those explosives to West Virginia expecting to set them off. Firefighters in the Mountain State said they have similar laws against lighting fireworks. Employees at a fireworks tent set up in Elm Grove said they're not allowed to sell anything that shoots in the air.

"They can purchase several things in West Virginia, and we always caution them some things are questionable whether they're legal or not," said Assistant Fire Chief Larry Murphy with the Wheeling Fire Department.

In both states, firefighters said sparklers and popper-type firecrackers are OK to buy and use. But they warn, those also come with an element of danger.

They said fireworks are best left to the pros, but even the pros have to be monitored.

"These guys are trained technicians. They're certified in Ohio and licensed. You need a fire safety inspector on scene, in the area from the time the fireworks arrive in the city until an hour after the exhibition is over," Allen said.

Steubenville police said they responded to a number of firework complaints and have cited people for setting off the explosives.