The State Fire Marshal’s Office is warning Massachusetts residents against indulging in illegal fireworks ahead of the July 4th holiday.
Illegal fireworks have caused more than 200 serious injuries, over 500 fires and explosions and nearly $1 million in damages in Massachusetts alone over the past five years, the fire marshal’s office said in a press release.
Incidents involving illegal fireworks spike in number every year during the weeks before and after July 4, the fire marshal’s office said. These incidents can draw firefighters and paramedics away from other emergencies in your community, Massachusetts Fire Chiefs Association President Patrick Purcell said in the release.
Additionally, state law mandates that police seize any illegal fireworks they find — even those that were purchased lawfully in another state and then transported to Massachusetts, the fire marshal’s office said. People who use or possess fireworks illegally can be fined, while those who sell illegal fireworks can be sentenced to jail.
“They are illegal without licensing and certification because they are so dangerous. Please don’t risk a fire, an injury or a day in court — leave fireworks to the professionals,” State Fire Marshal Jon Davine said in the release.
The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services maintains a continuously updated list of permitted fireworks displays throughout the summer, the fire marshal’s office said. To view the list and learn more about the dangers of illegal fireworks, visit the Fire Services Department’s website.
