‘Leave the fireworks to the pros’: Officials beg civilians to play it safe this Fourth of July

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Independence Day is on the horizon and people across Virginia are getting ready and making plans to celebrate — but if those plans include setting off any fireworks, plans may need to change.

Under Virginia law , any fireworks that rise into the air, explode, move along the ground or emit anything when they are lit are illegal to own or use.

However, different localities throughout the state have varying rules about what “state allowed” fireworks can be used in their districts.

Sal Luciano, the Battalion Chief for Chesterfield County Fire Department, is sending out a warning to all community members before Fourth of July celebrations start to pop off.

“This is a very dangerous holiday. It just seems to be people want to have a good time. It’s the first kind of real warm weather for the season. But there’s a lot of things to really be cautious of. It’s just not worth it,” Luciano said.

Under the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code , those specific types of “permissible fireworks” have a hard-coated or slow-burning fuse, like sparklers or pinwheels.

“In Chesterfield County all fireworks are illegal to possess and to light off. Some of the neighboring jurisdictions allow certain fireworks called permissible fireworks by the state. In Chesterfield County, even, sparklers are illegal,” Luciano said.

Blake Stevens is the Assistant Chief to the Hanover County Fire Department. Residents can have permissible fireworks in Hanover.

“It’s essential that we prioritize safety. Those that shoot into the air or move on the ground are prohibited. Those are the ones that concern us, those are the ones we have seen that have caused damage or injury in our community,” Stevens said.

He says what people may not be considering are the consequences of using illegal fireworks including a $2,500 fine or worse.

“So, illegal fireworks, again, it’s a violation of the statewide fire prevention code. And so, they could receive a summons up into that that year in jail. So that’s a class one misdemeanor. So, we do take it seriously,” Stevens said.

Almost all types of fireworks are illegal in Henrico County. Powhatan County and Colonial Heights only allow a handful of permissible fireworks like:

• Sparklers
• Fountains
• Pharaoh’s serpents
• Caps for pistols
• Pinwheels, as known as whirligigs or spinning jennies

Fireworks are not allowed at all in Richmond.

“It’s a risk like anything else. You may do it for years and years and years, never get caught and never have an injury. But it just takes one time to be devastating to you and your family,” Luciano said.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission , about 9,700 people were hurt and eight were killed, by fireworks across the country in 2023.

Officials say they are trying to minimize the number of injuries that the area is expected to see this Fourth of July holiday.

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