Fire Department: Backyard Fireworks Are Illegal and Dangerous

The Fourth of July is a celebration of the United States of America’s independence and for many people that celebration concludes with professional fireworks shows.

But there are often times when people try to take the pyrotechnics into their own hands and, according to Wellesley Fire Department Deputy Jeffery Peterson, that’s when things get dangerous.

“Some of the injuries you can have are burns up to and including amputations, eye loss and hearing loss from the explosion. You can even get killed by them, and that has happened in the state,” Peterson.

Last year one Massachusetts resident was killed by a firework explosion and 18 people were injured according to the Massachusetts Fire Incident Reporting System.

While there haven’t been any recent fireworks related explosions or fires in Wellesley, fire departments from Sandwich, Brockton, Lawrence and Ashby responded to related incidents just last year.

Don’t forget possession and use of fireworks is illegal in Massachusetts, as is transporting fireworks in to the state. Homeowners who light off fireworks can be fined for disturbing the peace and other related charges if local police departments are called to respond.

Enjoy Independence Day and the professional fireworks shows that go along with it safely.