4th of July Fireworks: What’s legal and what’s not?

Brooke Taylor

Email: Btaylor@abc6.com

Twitter: @BtaylorABC6

Before residents celebrate the 4th of July with fireworks, Rhode Island and Massachusetts officials are reminding residents what is illegal vs. legal

No one can sell, use, or possess display fireworks or aerial consumer firework, according to the State Office of the State Fire Marshal. 

“Any firecrackers, rockets, mortars, or any other device that launches a projectile and/or makes a “bang”/detonation/report are illegal,” the site states. 

However, there are certain fireworks and devices that are legal such as ground and hand-held sparkling devices. These devices do not fire projectiles into the air. 

The list includes:

  • Ground-based & hand-held sparkling device
  • Fountains
  • Illuminating torches, wheels, spinners, glitter sparkler
  • Sparklers, party poppers, snappers, toy smoke devices, snakes, glow worms, wire sparklers & dipped sticks

In Massachusetts, it is also illegal for anyone to use, possess, or sell fireworks. The law makes it illegal for anything designed to produce a visible or audible effect.

According to the Massachusetts government website, doing so could lead to fines, imprisonment, or both, and confiscation. 

Sale of Fireworks:

  • Fine: $100-$1,000
  • Imprisonment: 1-year max

Possession, use, cause to explode of fireworks:

  • Fine: $10-$100

©WLNE-TV/ABC6 2019

 

 

 

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