Leave Fancy Fireworks To The Pros, Manchester Police Say

MANCHESTER, NJ — Manchester Township police are reminding residents about New Jersey's laws regarding fireworks, as summer brings with it frequent complaints about illegal fireworks being set off in neighborhoods.

"A complaint we often receive throughout the summer are fireworks being set off in residential areas," police said. "Not only is this a safety concern, this is also a quality of life issue for your neighbors, including pets!"

Aerial fireworks are prohibited for use except by professional fireworks companies, under state law, and the loud explosions from illegal fireworks violate Manchester Township's noise ordinance, which reads as follows:

"§ 275-10 Noise prohibited: It shall be unlawful for a person to make, continue or cause to be made or continued any loud, unnecessary, offensive or unusual noise or any noise which does or is likely to annoy, disturb, injure or endanger the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of others."

Manchester Township has an ordinance regarding fireworks as well:

"§ 288-17 Fireworks: No person shall possess, discharge, or set off within a Township park or public lands any firecrackers, torpedoes, rockets, or other fireworks."

The state Division of Consumer Affairs offers the following:

• 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, including sparklers. 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.
• Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying them or using them
• 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.

The state offers this guide to fireworks of what is legal and what is not: