SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Fourth of July is just over a week away, which means fireworks season is getting into full swing across the country, but not here in Massachusetts.
Couple forced migrant to work at fireworks stand At-home fireworks are illegal here in Massachusetts, so we really shouldn’t have to worry about safety reminders. You shouldn’t be lighting them off at all when it comes to state law. The possession, use, and sale of fireworks without a permit and certification is prohibited in Massachusetts. This includes fireworks purchased legally in another state as well as firecrackers and cherry bombs
Sparklers are no exception, they may not travel or explode, but they burn extremely hot, more than 1,8000 degrees Fahrenheit, and accounted for almost 10 percent of firework-related injuries in 2020. That also means they are hot enough to start fires easily.
So what are the penalties? If you are caught possessing or using fireworks, you will see a fine of up to $1000 and your fireworks will be confiscated. If you are selling, you can also face one year of incarceration.
The ban is meant to protect the commonwealth from fireworks injuries and fires by keeping these explosive displays to professionals. In Massachusetts alone, there have been more than 500 fires and explosions involving illegal fireworks in the last five years, seven firefighters were injured in those incidents, and more than $1.5 million in damage was done. Between 2019 and 2023, more than 200 people in Massachusetts received medical treatment for burns and other firework injuries.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were 1,600 emergency department visits in 2020 related specifically to the use of firecrackers and 900 with sparklers.
Of those 900 sparkler injuries, 44 percent were to children under the age of five.
Local News
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Duncan MacLean is a reporter who has been a part of the 22News team since 2019. Follow Duncan on X @DMacLeanWWLP and view his bio to see more of his work.
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