“I believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade with shows, games sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other…” Future U.S. President, John Adams wrote this in a letter to his wife Abigail on the eve of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Since the first celebration of Independence Day a year later, fireworks…or “illuminations,” as President Adams called them…have played a leading role in America’s Fourth of July celebrations. However, when used by those without proper training, they are also a very dangerous part of the festivities.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, fireworks were responsible for 17,800 fires in 2011, which included 1,200 structures and 400 vehicles. Those fires resulted in eight deaths, 40 civilian injuries and $32 million in direct property damage. In a 2011 Baltimore Sun article, former Maryland State Fire Marshall William Barnard estimated that $1.5 million worth of property damage was caused in Maryland due to misuse of fireworks in the previous year, with roughly 9,000 firework-related injuries nationwide.
It might seem harmless to run across the State line and stock up on fireworks to bring back for backyard celebrations, but it is illegal to ship or transport fireworks into the State of Maryland, and can result in a fine of up to $250 for each firework. According to Maryland Deputy State Fire Marshal Bruce Bouch, some homemade fireworks are considered “improvised explosive devices.” Possession or use of explosive fireworks or large firecrackers such as M-100s or “Quarter-sticks” can carry a felony charge and a fine up to $250,000 as well as the possibility of 25 years in prison.
As a general rule, hand-held sparklers (gold-label sparklers) or ground-based sparklers are legal in Maryland. However anything that launches, flies, or explodes is not. For information on approved types of fireworks and sparklers, visit the State Fire Marshall’s site.
If you are transporting or using legal fireworks or sparklers within the state, please make sure to follow these important safety tips:
- Always transport fireworks in the trunk of your vehicle. They should not be in the main passenger compartment. (If you have a van or SUV with no separate trunk, make sure the fireworks are kept out of direct sunlight).
- Transport fireworks in a spark-proof container, such as a cardboard box.
- Never smoke near fireworks.
- Never attempt to light a firework or fuse inside a vehicle or a building.
- Never attempt to re-light a misfire or “dud.”
- Have a hose or bucket of water available in the area where you plan to light approved fireworks.
- Soak used fireworks in a bucket of water.
- Keep children away from storage and ignition of fireworks.
- And, of course, never handle fireworks if you’ve been drinking.
Having your own fireworks show in the back yard or on the beach may seem like fun, but when something goes wrong and someone is hurt or a building or car is on fire, people quickly realize how serious and dangerous illegal fireworks can be.
Your best bet…save yourself the stress and the risk and leave the Fourth of July displays to the professionals.
