Which Fireworks Are Legal In Howard County For The July 4 Holiday

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — If you're planning on using fireworks in Howard County, make sure you know which ones are legal and which ones can cost you in the form of a fine of up to $1,000.

The sale, possession and residential use of of ground-based sparklers is prohibited in Howard County, according to officials. Violators are subject to a fine of up to $1,000. Devices known as party poppers, ignitable snakes, snap ’n pops and handheld sparklers are legal, but they can be dangerous, officials note.

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

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

The OSFM operates a bomb squad that regulates Maryland's explosive and fireworks industries. On its website, the OSFM shares several tips when using 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