If you think crossing the state line to buy fireworks that are illegal in Maryland is a smart work-around, firefighters would like you to think again.
“People cross that line day in and day out, for months, preparing for this weekend,” said Oliver Alkire, a spokesperson for the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
Fireworks that shoot into the air can be legally purchased and ignited in some border states, including Pennsylvania and West Virginia, but you can’t bring them into Maryland with the intent to shoot them off.
Maryland prohibits aerial fireworks — those that explode in the air.
Montgomery and Prince George’s counties also prohibit “ground-based” fireworks, including sparklers. Some Maryland counties permit these.
These regulations exclude, of course, pyrotechnic professionals who have permits to produce fireworks shows — several are planned for Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.
Read More
In recent weeks, fire departments in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties have tried to hammer the lay-off-the-fireworks message home.
Their social media posts explain the law but also how fireworks can start fires, maim and worse.
One from Montgomery County’s department features a hand with two shortened digits. “Use your head or lose your fingers,” it reads.
A video posted by the Prince George’s department begins with fireworks blowing up a watermelon.
Capt. James Bise, fire and explosives investigator with Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, said the department would rather educate residents about fireworks prohibitions than punish them.
“We just want to make sure people understand that they’re dangerous and very unsafe,” he said.
But that can be tough when neighboring states permit the sale and possession of fireworks — or at least some of them — without a permit. Fireworks stores and stands beckon Marylanders with flashy road signs and online ads.
Bise said illegal fireworks often cause fires on Independence Day and injure people who touch them. Children and sparklers can be a particularly dangerous combination. Those sparklers seem “innocent,” Bise said, but can burn up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Kids will think they’re extinguished, “they’ll grab the sparkler, and obviously it’s still hot,” he said.
Alkire said the state fire marshal’s office has noticed an uptick in injuries caused by relighting fireworks that people mistakenly take for duds. Potential duds should be doused with water, he said.
Fines
Police and firefighters are charged with enforcing fireworks regulations.
Montgomery County has civil and criminal fireworks codes. A civil violation for possessing or using fireworks can cost $500 the first time and $750 for a repeat offense.
A criminal penalty in Montgomery or Prince George’s County can result in a $1,000 fine and as much as six months in jail.
Under Maryland law, Bise said, a person can be charged for lighting or possessing fireworks without a permit, which carries a fine of $250.
Alkire, who is also a master deputy state fire marshal, said that $250 fine can be applied to each illegally possessed or lit firework, as opposed to a package of many fireworks.
He offered a rule of thumb for Marylanders who want to stay on the right side of the law.
“The county you live in is the county where you should be purchasing and using your fireworks,” he said.
Comments
Welcome to The Banner's subscriber-only commenting community. Please review our community guidelines.