The Fourth of July is an American tradition that involves a great deal of excitement. Part of this tradition is firework display shows all over the country. While they are beautiful, fireworks have the potential to be very dangerous. They can become as hot as 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, making it possible to cause severe injuries to those who use them. When handing fireworks, it is important to be in compliance with Pennsylvania law to ensure they are being used correctly and legally.
Firework Laws
In October of 2017, Pennsylvania passed the new Fireworks Act that replaced the previous one from 1939. This allowed the expanded sale of certain types of fireworks. Today, residents are able to purchase and use “Class C” fireworks, also known as “consumer-grade” fireworks. This includes firecrackers, Roman candles, bottle rockets, and other fireworks that contain a maximum of 50 milligrams of explosive materials.
Display fireworks can contain more than two grains or 130 milligrams of explosive materials. In addition to this, professional-grade aerial shells can contain more than 60 grams of pyrotechnic compositions. These are only to be used by professionals with a permit from the municipality holding the display.
Restrictions
While fireworks are mostly legal in Pennsylvania, there are certain restrictions that come with using them. Fireworks cannot:
- Be ignited or discharged on public or private property without the permission of the property owner
- Be discharged from or within a motor vehicle or building
- Be discharged toward a motor vehicle or building
- Be discharged within 150 feet of an occupied structure, regardless of whether or not a person is present
- Be discharged by a person under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a controlled substance
Safety Tips
When using legal fireworks in the state of Pennsylvania, it is important for them to take the right safety precautions so that no one is injured in the process. This can be done by following these tips:
- Always supervise children
- Do not allow young children to ignite or play with fireworks
- Keep a bucket of water close by just in case of a fire
- Do not shoot fireworks from metal or glass containers
- Do not shoot fireworks at people
- Keep a safe distance when lighting the fuse
- Do not re-light fireworks that do not fully ignite
- Put used fireworks in water before discarding them
Contact our Firm
Attorney Newman has represented clients in Pennsylvania for over 45 years. If you need an experienced attorney to help guide you through the personal injury claims process or with any criminal defense matters, Attorney Newman is ready to help. Contact The Law Office of Neal E. Newman today to schedule a consultation.