4th Of July Fireworks: What's Legal, What's Not In Anne Arundel County

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Independence Day is almost here. July 4 is sure to bring plenty of fireworks, but some displays are prohibited in Maryland.

These fireworks are legal in Anne Arundel County and the City of Annapolis:

• Sparklers
• Fountains
• Crackles and strobes
• Wheels and spinners
• Other certain novelties

As a general rule, sparklers and any ground-based fireworks are allowed. Fireworks that launch, explode or fly are illegal.

Maryland law prohibits crossing state lines to import fireworks for backyard celebrations. Violators could face fines of up to $250 for each firework device.

Possessing or using explosive fireworks can lead to felony charges, large fines and prison time. Outlawed firecrackers include M-100s or “Quarter-sticks.”

Related: July 4th Fireworks 2022 In Anne Arundel County

Fire officials urged Anne Arundel County residents to be careful with fireworks, which can burn at up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

“Using them in an unsafe and incorrect manner may lead to serious injury or death," Annapolis Fire Department Chief Douglas Remaley said in a press release. "Structure fires have occurred from non ground-based fireworks that don’t land where people want them to land, so it is best to leave the fireworks to the professionals.”

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission 2020 report:

• Fireworks were involved with an estimated 10,000 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments during calendar year 2019 of which 7,300 injuries occurred between June 21 and July 21.
• Children 0 to 4 years of age had the highest estimated rate of emergency department-treated, fireworks-related injuries.
• There were an estimated 900 emergency department-treated injuries associated with sparklers and 400 with bottle rockets.
• The parts of the body most often injured were hands and fingers, legs, eyes, head, face, and ears.

The Annapolis Fire Department offered these safety tips:

• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
• Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don't realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals.
• Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
• Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
• After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.
• Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.

Annapolis residents can drop off expired or extra fireworks and flares at any city fire station:

• Headquarters/Forest Drive Fire Station: 1790 Forest Drive
• Eastport Fire Station: 914 Bay Ridge Avenue
• Taylor Avenue Fire Station: 620 Taylor Avenue

Participants must show a valid Maryland identification with an address located within the City of Annapolis.

The Annapolis Police Department also takes unwanted ammunition and firearms. Residents can call the agency at 410-268-9000 for more information.