4th Of July Fireworks 2021: What's Legal, What's Not In PA

PENNSYLVANIA — The 4th of July is just around the corner, and many local police departments are reminding residents to leave the fireworks to the professionals or face hefty fines.

In Pennsylvania, the fireworks laws got updated back in 2017 with the passing of House Bill 542, which repealed the state's existing Fireworks Act.

So, what kind of fireworks can you buy and set off in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania residents are legally allowed to purchase — and set off in state — Class C fireworks, also known as "consumer grade" fireworks. This class includes firecrackers, Roman Candles, bottle rockets, and similar products. Fireworks cannot contain more than 50 milligrams of explosive material, according to the new law.

This is the most noteworthy change in the new law, as previously, only the smallest products and "ground-based" material could be legally used.

What's still not permitted: the purchase or use "display" fireworks, which contain professional grade aerial shells.

Pennsylvania is one of 46 states, along with Washington D.C., to allow consumer grade fireworks, according to the American Pyrotechnics Association, though the fine print can differ in important ways from there.

While the new law allows these Class C fireworks to be used in the state, it does restrict where they are allowed to be set off. The restrictions should be obvious, yet they are there anyway. According to state police, fireworks cannot be used in the following locations:

• On any public or private property without the permission of the owner
• Inside a motor vehicle or building
• Toward a motor vehicle or building
• Within 150 feet of a building that is occupied

And, of course, anyone who is intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance is not legally allowed to shoot off fireworks.

Fireworks may be purchased at any licensed facility by individuals aged 18 or older.

Fireworks caused an estimated 12 deaths in the United States in 2019, along with and estimated 10,000 injuries, according to Consumer Product Safety Commission.

With reporting by Justin Heinze