Thinking About Buying Fireworks For The Fourth Of July? Don't.

Did you know that nearly all fireworks in New Jersey are illegal?

New Jersey's fireworks laws are very restrictive, Point Pleasant Capt. Robert Lokerson said.

The only fireworks allowed to be sold in New Jersey are paper or plastic caps for use in toy guns are legal, he said.

Sparkler and novelty items, such as cigarette loads, trick matches, trick noise makers, smoke grenades, toy propellants, snaps andpops, poppetts and champagne poppers, as well as firecrackers, roman candles, rockets, etc., are all illegal in New Jersey, Lokerson said.

"Do not be fooled by a salesperson who tries to tell you that they are authorized to be sold by the Consumer Products Safety Commission, or are sold by mail order houses, or are permitted to be sold in other states, or are permitted to be shipped by the U.S. Department of Transportation," Lokerson said. "I repeat – the only fireworks that can legally be sold and used in New Jersey are paper and plastic caps for toy cap guns."

So if you're thinking of buying illegal fireworks, don't. Point Pleasant police will be enforcing the state fireworks laws. The sale or possession of fireworks, with intent to sell, is a fourth-degree crime, he said.

Any person who purchases, uses, discharges, causes to be discharged, ignites, fires or possesses any fireworks is a petty disorderly persons offense. Any person found guilty of using fireworks illegally can be fined up to $500 and/or imprisoned for up to 30 days. Any person found guilty of possessing fireworks with the intention of selling them, can be fined up to $10,000 and/or imprisoned up to 18 months.

"Point Pleasant Police officers will confiscate all illegal fireworks and individuals will be charged criminally," Lokerson said. "Residents are encouraged to attend the professional legal fireworks displays in the surrounding communities to ensure a safe July 4th celebration"

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says that 230 people on average go to the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July 4th holiday. Don't be one of them.