Fireworks

Firework Safety

June 20 , 2006
According to PREVENT BLINDNESS AMERICA, nearly 13,000 fireworks victims keep hospitals busy every year. More than half of those are children. Fireworks not only injure users, but also 40 percent of fireworks mishaps injure bystanders. These injuries range from burns, eye injuries, lacerations and amputations.

New Jersey ’s laws on fireworks, N.J.S.A. 21-2-1et seq., and N.J.S.A. 21:3-1et seq. are very restrictive. In some states, fireworks are permitted to be sold to, and used by, the public. However, in New Jersey , only paper or plastic caps for use in toy guns are legal.

Sparkler and novelty items, such as cigarette loads, trick matches, trick noise makers, smoke grenades, toy propellants, snaps & pops, poppetts and champagne poppers, as well as firecrackers, roman candles, rockets, etc., are all illegal in the state. We repeat – the only fireworks that can be legally sold and used in New Jersey are paper and plastic caps for toy guns.

The firework laws are jointly enforced by municipalities and The New Jersey Department of Labor. The law states the sale or possession of fireworks, with intent to sell, is a crime of the forth degree. Any person found guilty of possessing fireworks, including sparklers, with the intention of selling them, can be fined up to $7,500 and /or imprisoned up to 18 months. Any person found using fireworks illegally could be fined up to $500 and/or imprisoned up to 30 days.

The Washington Township Police Department will strictly enforce laws pertaining to possession with intent to sell and using illegal fireworks. If you have fireworks that need to be destroyed, they can be turned into the police department for destruction.

Have a happy and safe summer!