North Jersey Police Remind Residents: Fireworks Are Illegal

NORTH JERSEY - As we head towards July 4 during the COVID-19 pandemic, many residents are replacing town-sponsored firework events with local events in their own yards. The only problem is, that is against the law.

Any compounds containing nitrates, chlorates, oxalates, sulphides of lead, barium, antimony, arsenic, mercury, nitroglycerine, phosphorous or any other explosive are illegal, the Morristown Department of Public Safety posted to social media.

They also listed specific popular models that are prohibited:

• firecrackers
• skyrockets
• bottlerockets
• roman candles

They did note that those 16-years-old or older can purchase handheld sparklers, ground sparklers, novelty party poppers and snappers. Other departments

According to officials, illegal fireworks have been popping off for months. The racket is more than a nuisance for soldiers and others with PTSD, the elderly and children, and dogs.

One problem for dog owners is that they can plan around the organized fireworks shows but not the spontaneous displays lighting up the streets of big cities and small towns from one coast to another.

Dogs have a heightened sense of hearing that makes the booming, buzzing, hissing, crackling, humming and whistling of fireworks a traumatic experience. They're likely to bolt, and that makes July 5 typically the busiest time of year at animal shelters across the country.

"They don't know where the noise is coming from, and they try to escape because they don't understand," according to Dallas Harsa, an executive at the American Kennel Club's Reunite, which through its history has helped return of more than 500,000 lost pets to their owners.

Dogs that ran away in terror may never come home. The National Council on Pet Population and Policy estimates that fewer than 2 percent of cats and 20 percent of dogs entering animal shelters are reunited with their owners.

If fireworks send your dog fleeing, the Humane Society of the United States advises first checking with local animal shelters and animal control agencies.

Also, search your neighborhood several times a day, and ask neighbors, mail carriers and delivery people if they've seen your dog. It's also a good idea to hand out recent photographs of your dog along with your contact information.

Also consider checking shelters within a 60-mile radius of your home, officials said.

Police Departments in the area have also been vocal, posting reminders on how to report offenders, but the Roxbury Police Department took a different approach.

"We understand that many people think fireworks are harmless and fun and we are a bunch of jerks trying to ruin your parties. We like parties too," the department posted to social media. " So we totally get where you are coming from. We realize you are just trying to have some innocent fun, but there are unintentional complications that sometimes arise with fireworks."

They also requested that residents not put them in the situation of having to break up their party.

"All we are really asking is that you be respectful of each other. If you think it's too late to set them off, then it probably is. Please be courteous to those around you," they said.

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