As the Fourth of July approaches, it’s not uncommon to hear fireworks going off at night. But police and fire departments are asking Massachusetts residents to leave those to the professionals.
Fireworks are illegal in Massachusetts for those without a certification or licensing.
“In advance of the Independence Day holiday, the City of Cambridge wants to remind the community that fireworks are illegal, dangerous, and can cause trauma for residents,” the city wrote in a press release, adding that it includes sparklers.
Fines for people who have or use fireworks can range between $10 to $100. Those fines significantly increase for those who sell fireworks, the police department stated. Those fines can be up to $1,000 and possible jail time.
Police are also required to take the fireworks.
But that might not be the most expensive part.
Between 2012 and 2021, Massachusetts fire departments reported more than 900 fires related to illegal fireworks. And in the past five years, seven firefighters have been injured due to illegal fireworks. Damages have been estimated at more than $1.5 million, according to a press release by the state.
Between 2019 and 2023, Massachusetts medical facilities treated more than 200 people for burns and other injuries from fireworks, the state said. Two dozen people were treated for severe burn injuries that covered 5% or more of their body.
If those fires involve your house or an injury, insurance companies might not but much help.
According to Cavallo & Signoriello Insurance Agency, home insurance won’t cover damage caused by “illegal acts.”
“And because fireworks are illegal in Massachusetts, any incident involving private use would not be covered by insurance,” the insurance agency wrote. “… And that means you could be on the hook for expensive medical or legal expenses.”
You could also be on the hook for civil damages.
“In short, if someone is hurt with fireworks that you light or that you provide, or if you set off fireworks that cause a fire leading to injuries, you may be liable for civil damages,” Sheff Law wrote in a blog post. “If you are injured by fireworks, or by a fire caused by fireworks, you may need to know who purchased those fireworks to prevail in a civil lawsuit.”
For a full list of professional fireworks shows, click here.
