WASHINGTON 鈥� As Independence Day nears, it鈥檚 not uncommon to see a firework stands pop up around the D.C. area, but fire officials remind residents about the dangers of putting on your own display 鈥� and where you are breaking the law by doing it.
Prince George鈥檚 County, for instance, has banned all fireworks shows not done by professionals.
鈥淎nything that a consumer can purchase is illegal,鈥� according to Mark Brady, spokesman for Prince George鈥檚 County Fire and EMS.
Brady said they have seen severe injuries from the use of fireworks, and as a preventive measure, all fireworks both big and small are against the law.
鈥淚f you see something in a neighboring jurisdiction, and it鈥檚 small, and you think it鈥檚 going to be safe to use, it鈥檚 not. It鈥檚 illegal,鈥� he said.
Brady said fireworks exploding early, or firing in an unexpected direction, have led to hand and eye injuries, as well as severe burns to people near them. Even sparklers can really harm adults or children who use them because they can reach very high temperatures.
鈥淲hat you鈥檙e doing is you鈥檙e placing a metal rod in the hands of your child that can be up to 800 degrees,鈥� Brady said.
Not all areas have as strict of restrictions when it comes to fireworks, but most have banned at least some forms of fireworks.
D.C.
- Prohibited: Firecrackers of any kind, any firework that explodes 鈥� such as cherry bombs, salutes and Roman candles 鈥� and sparklers longer than 20 inches.聽.
- Permitted: Sparklers less than 20 inches, torches, cones, box fires and fountains.
Maryland
Any firework that explodes or launches a projectile in the air or moves on the ground is illegal in Maryland, including firecrackers, cherry bombs, black cats and M-80s.
- Anne Arundel County: Snappers, sparklers and ground-based sparkling devices that are non-aerial nonexplosive are permitted.
- Calvert County: Sparklers and ground-based sparkling devices that are non-aerial nonexplosive are permitted.
- Charles County: Hand-held sparklers and ignitable snakes are permitted.
- Frederick County: Gold-label sparklers, novelty items and ground-based sparklers are permitted.
- Howard County: Handheld sparklers, snakes, snaps and pops, and party poppers are permitted.
- Montgomery County: All fireworks, including sparklers, are prohibited. Violators face a possible $500 fine.
- Prince George鈥檚 County: All consumer fireworks, including sparklers, are prohibited.
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Explosive fireworks and fireworks that launch aerial projectiles are illegal in Virginia. Illegal devices include firecrackers, cherry bombs and bottle rockets.
- City of Alexandria: All fireworks, including sparklers, are illegal. The city warns of fines of up to $2,500 and up to 12 months in prison for those who set off illegal fireworks in the city.
- Arlington County: Sparklers, fountains, Pharaoh鈥檚 serpents, pinwheels 鈥� also known as whirligigs 鈥� or spinning jennies are permitted.
- Fairfax County: Sparklers, fountains, Pharaoh鈥檚 serpents, pinwheels 鈥� also known as whirligigs 鈥� or spinning jennies are permitted.
- City of Falls Church: All fireworks, including sparklers, are prohibited.
- Fauquier County: Sparklers and fireworks that don鈥檛 project into the air are permitted.
- Loudoun County: Sparklers and ground-based fountains on private property are permitted.
- Manassas: Sparklers, fountains, Pharaoh鈥檚 serpent and pinwheels are permitted.
- Manassas Park: Sparklers, fountains, Pharaoh鈥檚 serpent and pinwheels are permitted.
- Prince William County: The county says it has a zero tolerance for illegal fireworks. Sparklers, fountains, Pharaoh鈥檚 serpents and pinwheels are, however, permitted.
- Spotsylvania County: Sparklers and fireworks that don鈥檛 explode in the air or travel on the ground are permitted.
- Stafford County: Sparklers, fountains, Pharaoh鈥檚 serpents and pinwheels are permitted.
- Fredericksburg: Sparklers, fountains, Pharaoh鈥檚 serpents and pinwheels are permitted.
