Prince George's County Fireworks Amnesty in Effect

Fireworks can be dazzling and cool. They can also be dangerous. And they are illegal in Prince George's County.

Now in its ninth year, the Fireworks Amnesty Program, implemented by the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department, is designed to allow citizens to turn in fireworks without fear of being arrested and/or fined. Thousand of pieces of dangerous fireworks have been turned over to authorities during this program, according to PGFD.

Each year, thousands of people are injured and some killed in accidents involving the use of fireworks—many of these injuries and deaths involve children, PGFD said. These primarily involve those fireworks classified as 1.4g explosives by the U.S. Department of Transportation, commonly referred to as "consumer fireworks," according to PGFD.

Prince George’s County has banned the sale, use and possession of these fireworks based on the danger to citizens caused by the misuse of these products. It is illegal for any person to manufacture, possess, store, offer for sale, sell, discharge, use, burn, or explode any fireworks in the county, except that an authorized display may be conducted by a licensed pyrotechnic professional, PGFD said, adding that penalties for violations of the law include a fine of up to $1,000 and/or six months in jail.

Call 301-583-2200 to arrange for a member of PGFD to pick up fireworks from your home or business. The amnesty will remain in effect through July 20.

Enjoy College Park's Fourth of July fireworks display at the University of Maryland, Parking Lot 1, off Campus Drive near the University Boulevard/Adelphi Road entrance. Food and music start at 7 p.m., with fireworks around 9 p.m.

May you have a happy and safe Independence Day!