Here's How To Safely Handle Legal Fireworks In Maryland For July 4th Holiday Celebrations

MARYLAND — It's not just illegal fireworks like firecrackers that can cause an injury, but sparklers — which are legal in Maryland — need supervision to ensure your Fourth of July is pain free.

"There were numerous fireworks-related incidents reported in Maryland last year," State Fire Marshal Brian Geraci said in a news release. "Prevention of burns, injuries, and fires has always been a top priority of our office. The safest way to enjoy fireworks this July 4th holiday season is to attend one of the many public fireworks displays throughout the state."

Last summer, a 9-year-old boy and two adults were injured by illegal fireworks in three separate incidents. The child was simply sitting with his parents enjoying the holiday when a box of fireworks exploded, sending debris flying that caused second- and third-degree burns on the boy.

A 35-year-old man suffered an eye injury from sparks given off by a bottle rocket that same night. A 48-year-old man endured second-degree burns to both legs from fireworks, too.

The state fire marshal operates a bomb squad that regulates Maryland's explosive and fireworks industries. The agency shared several tips to safely use legal fireworks for the holiday:

• soak used fireworks in a bucket of water
• clean up all debris from fireworks
• do not relight a firework that didn't go off; instead wait 15 to 20 minutes and if it doesn't go off, soak it in a bucket of water
• store fireworks out of children's reach
• always read and follow label directions
• always have a garden hose or buckets of water in the area where fireworks are being used
• place pets indoors and away from the sounds and lights of fireworks
• only adults light fireworks
• keep ignition sources away from children
• use fireworks outdoors only
• light only one firework at a time and quickly move away from the firework
• do not light a firework in your hand
• do not throw fireworks

"A sparkler can burn hot enough to melt gold," Dr. Dean Fiergang, an ophthalmologist and executive board member of the Maryland Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, said. "While advancements in ophthalmic surgery have come a long way, there is very little that can be done when extreme temperatures make contact with the human eye."

Below are the only fireworks allowed by state law for Marylanders to use except in Baltimore City, Montgomery and Prince George's counties where all fireworks are illegal:

• Gold-labeled sparklers
• Novelty items (i.e. party poppers, snap pops, snakes)
• Ground-based sparkler devices (prohibited in Ocean City, Harford and Howard counties)

Examples of items that are prohibited by state law include:

• Firecrackers, cherry bombs, Black Cats, M-80’s, Crackling Balls and Smoke Bombs
• Roman candles and bottle rockets (whistling and/or with report)
• Sky rockets, helicopter-type rockets, spinning wheels, moving tanks or other vehicles
• Any firework that is shot from a mortar tube

"This time of year is one of the busiest for The Curtis National Hand Center at MedStar Memorial Hospital," Dr. Ryan Zimmerman, an attending hand surgeon, said. "If you experience a loss of digits during a fireworks accident, never put them directly on ice. First, wrap them in gauze and place them in a plastic bag within another plastic bag that contains a combination of ice and water. Go directly to your nearest emergency room."

Police officers can issue a criminal citation and confiscate fireworks that violate state law.