Woodbridge, Va. –– Prince William fire and rescue officials warn about the dangers of illegal fireworks.
During the upcoming Fourth of July weekend, officials plan to write summonses and place some behind bars for possessing illegal fireworks.
“On the Fourth of July weekend, fire marshals and police officers will patrol the region looking for illegal fireworks, which will be confiscated,” Prince William fire and rescue Assistant Chief Hadden Culp said. “The violator will then be charged with the offence and must appear in court. Locally, use of illegal fireworks in Virginia is a Class 1 misdemeanor, meaning a person could receive jail time of up to 1 year and a fine of up to $2,500.00.”
Every year, many multiple injuries are reported because of the use of illegal fireworks, officials say. Fires and even death are also to be blamed on illegal fireworks, the use of which has increased over the past 10 years.
So what fireworks can you have? Officials say cones, sparklers, sparkling devices and novelties are legal in some jurisdictions. Illegal are anything that shoots into the air, roman candles and firecrackers.
In the end, it’s up to the local jurisdiction to set the rules and users are urged to check first with local governments to find out what fireworks are legal to posses.
Police in recent years have confiscated more than $10,000 in illegal fireworks in Prince William County–– a fraction of the illegal fireworks confiscated in the Washington area, officials said.
