4th of July Fireworks: What's Legal, What's Not In Montgomery

MONTGOMERY, IL — The 4th of July is just weeks away, which may leave some residents wondering: What's the village's policy on fireworks? Here in Montgomery, there's a zero tolerance policy.

In Montgomery, village ordinance prohibits the purchase, sale, possession and use of fireworks — but it's not illegal to transport fireworks through Montgomery if you're 18 or older, provided you're not violating Illinois fireworks law or distributing them in the village.

If you're caught violating village fireworks ordinances, you could get a fine of up to $750. Any second offenses committed by the same person within a 12-month period could result in a fine of not less than $200, and a third offense in that time period would net you a $300 fine.

Laws and ordinances banning fireworks aren't meant to stop you from having 4th of July fun — they're intended to keep you safe. According to the Illinois State Fire Marshal's 2017 summary of fireworks injuries, a total of 181 injuries were reported during the four-week period including the 4th of July. Some stats:

• 1 fatality was reported
• Injuries affecting hands (51) and eyes (34) were the highest
• 28 head/face injuries were reported
• The dismemberment/amputation category rose to 16 from the previous year’s report of 15
• Second-degree burns were the leading type of injury at 49 followed by 28 first degree burns and 27 finger
• Injuries that required hospitalization for more than 24 hours doubled to 38 from the previous year’s 18
• The fireworks causing the highest number of injuries was the “mortar” category at 32; followed by the “unknown” (28) and sparklers wire/wood core (18) and roman candles and bottle rockets at 16 each.

Nationwide, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported four non-occupational fireworks related deaths in 2016. The 2017 report hasn't been released yet.

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Know the law

What does state law say? Basically, if you've got to go to Indiana to buy it, it's probably illegal here in Illinois. The Illinois Pyrotechnic Use Act prohibits the sale, possession and use of consumer fireworks — and what's legal to purchase across state lines could earn you up to a year in prison and a $2,500 fine once you cross back into Illinois. Nationwide, fireworks including M-80s and cherry bombs (anything containing more than 50 milligrams of "pyrotechnic composition") are banned.

Are there any 4th of July items that are legal in Illinois? The Pyrotechnic Use Act doesn't have any regulations regarding "novelty" fireworks, so these items are OK:

• Sparklers
• Snake/glow worm pellets
• Smoke devices
• Trick noisemakers known as "party poppers," "booby traps," "snappers," "trick matches," "cigarette loads" and "auto burglar alarms;"
• Toy pistols, toy canes, toy guns or other devices using plastic caps containing twenty-five hundredths grains or less of explosive compound (provided that are made so they do not come into contact with a person's hand)

What's illegal? Pretty much anything else, including (but not limited to):

• Hand held fireworks
• Bottle rockets
• Firecrackers of any size or type
• Sky rockets
• Roman candles
• Chasers
• Buzz bombs
• Ground items other than those identified as Approved Consumer Fireworks
• Helicopters
• Missiles
• Pin wheels or any other twirling device whether on the ground or mounted above the ground
• Planes
• Sky lanterns, the type of balloon which requires fire underneath to propel same

Safety first

The Consumer Product Safety Commission offers these firework safety tips:

1. Never allow children to handle a firework device
2. Check local laws and only use legal, consumer-grade fireworks
3. Leave professional fireworks to the professionals
4. If using consumer fireworks, make sure you keep a bucket of water or a hose handy
5. Don't try to relight a firework that turns out to be a dud

Leave it to the professionals

Your best bet for 4th of July fireworks fun? Leave it the professionals and go see a local (legal) fireworks display.

Here in Montgomery, there will be a fireworks display at Montgomery Fest, which starts Aug. 10. For 4th of July fireworks, head over to nearby Oswego, Aurora or Plainfield.

Photo by Autumn Johnson, Patch Staff