Careful with Those Fireworks

Independence Day and fireworks go together like apple pie and vanilla ice cream. But fireworks are illegal in New Jersey without a permit, and they can harm both people and property.

Fireworks started more than 22,000 fires in 2008, causing about $42 million in damage, according to the National Fire Protection Association. They have injured more than 3,000 children ages 15 and younger.

Fireworks are illegal in New Jersey because of  the potential for fire and injury, and not everyone appreciates the sudden loud bangs from a neighbor's yard.

Fireworks are not illegal in Pennsylvania, though, and New Jersey state police are planning to crack down this weekend on people who may try to bring them into the state, according to an Associated Press report.

Possession or use of fireworks without a permit is a petty disorderly person offense. It carries a fine up to $500 and the potential for 30 days in prison. Selling fireworks or possessing them with the intent to sell is a fourth-degree crime and carries a fine up to $10,000 and a possible prison sentence up to 18 months in jail. 

With New Jersey's dense population, there is greater risk of damage or injuries from fireworks. Plus, residents may not realize how dangerous some fireworks can be. Sparklers, for example (which are also illegal in New Jersey), cause the most burns out of any firework, according to fir eofficials. They can heat to 1,200 degrees, hot enough to cause a third-degree burn.

You should also never pick-up a firework from the ground. Even if it looks as if it has been used, it may still be active.

For a list of legal fireworks shows nearby, check out Patch's guide here.