FDNY- Leave Fireworks to Professionals

Published: June 26, 2015

BE FDNYSMART THIS SUMMER AND LEAVE FIREWORKS TO THE PROFESSIONALS

Fireworks over the East River

Friday, June 26, throughout the United States the Fourth of July will be celebrated next weekend. Many people like to mark our nation's founding with fireworks, however, amateur use, possession and storage is illegal in New York State.

Each year, approximately 10,000 people are treated for fireworks related injuries nationwide; often it is a bystander who is hurt. And nearly half of those injured are children younger than 14-years-old.

Fireworks can also start fires, including sparklers which can heat up to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit and easily catch fire to clothing or hair.

Anyone using, possessing, or storing any kind of fireworks - including sparklers, fire-crackers and rockets - in the five boroughs is guilty of a criminal misdemeanor and could be subject to 6 months imprisonment, a fine of $10,000 or both, and may face civil penalties as well.

You can take action and anonymously report illegal fireworks activities and receive a reward of up to $1,000 if you aide in the arrest and conviction of people selling, storing, or transporting fireworks.

Call 911 to report the use or sale of illegal fireworks in progress, or the storage of large amounts of fireworks or call 311 to report past or chronic fireworks use or sale, or to provide tips.

There are plenty of opportunities to watch legal fireworks displays and you can find a listing of all of them here.