What Horsham Residents Should Know About PA Fireworks Laws

HORSHAM TOWNSHIP, PA — Township officials are urging residents to pay attention to Pennsylvania Fireworks Laws going into the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

To prevent injury, officials say that state law prohibits anyone other than professional pyrotechnicians to use display fireworks.

Those fireworks produce visible or audible effects by combustion, deflagration, or detonation.

Those fireworks include:

• Salutes containing more than two grains or 130 milligrams of explosive material.
• Aerial Shells containing more than 60 grams of pyrotechnic compositions.
• Other display pieces that exceed the limits of explosive materials for classification as consumer fireworks.

As of Oct. 30, 2017, residents have been legally able to purchase and use "Class C" fireworks such as firecrackers, Roman Candles, and Bottle Rockets.

Not included are M-80s, Silver Salutes, and Cherry Bombs, state law says.

Here are the rules for using Consumer-Grade Fireworks:

• A person must be at least 18 years old to purchase, possess or use consumer-grade fireworks.
• They may not be ignited or discharged on public or private property without the property owner's express permission.
• They may not be discharged from, within, or toward a motor vehicle or building.
• They may not be discharged within 150 feet of an occupied structure, whether or not a person is present.
• They may not be discharged while the person is under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, or another drug.
• With very few exceptions, there are no areas in Horsham Township where it is legal to set off consumer-grade fireworks.
• Most of our neighborhoods have houses that are within the 150-feet restriction.
• Any violation of the above restrictions is illegal under Title 72, Section 2414 (1) and is punishable by a fine of $100, plus court costs.