Crime & Safety

Firefighters: Forgo Fireworks For Fourth

Officials are reminding public that all fireworks and pyrotechnics are illegal in Prince George's County.

When it comes to Independence Day fun, the Prince George's County Fire Department wants you to celebrate safely. 

That means no fireworks, folks. 

Highlighting "some confusion among our citizens, visitors and businesses in Prince George's County," the county fire department circulated a media advisory reminding residents that fireworks are illegal in Prince George's.

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The confusion is understandable to a degree. Maryland allows each county to set their own fireworks laws. Fireworks are totally prohibited in Prince George's County, Montgomery County and Baltimore City. Neighboring Anne Arundel County, Howard County and Washington, D.C. all allow recreational pyrotechnics to varying degrees. 

"You may drive through a neighboring jurisdiction that allows the sale of fireworks out of temporary stands," wrote county fire department Public Information Officer Mark Brady. "The consumer may not know that the fireworks products you are purchasing are illegal where you live."

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The law in Prince George's is pretty clear:

It is unlawful for any person to manufacture, possess, store, offer for sale, expose for sale, sell, discharge, use, burn, or explode any fireworks in Prince George's County, Maryland, except that an authorized display may be conducted by a fireworks shooter.

So, what should you do instead?

"The men and women of your Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department encourage you to attend one of the many public and municipal fireworks displays that will be offered for the Fourth of July Celebration throughout the county," wrote Brady.


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