Fireworks Usage, Safety Stressed In Abington Twp.

ABINGTON TOWNSHIP, PA —With the Fourth of July holiday weekend upon us, the Abington Township Police Department is letting residents know about fireworks sales and usage regarding Pennsylvania law.

Police said that it's also important to show consideration for neighbors, especially those with young children and pets.

There are two types of fireworks: Display and Consumer:

• Display fireworks are those that you see during large shows on the 4th of July and after the Phillies games. They are not available to the general public.
• Consumer fireworks are now available to the public. These include (but not limited to) bottle rockets, Roman candles, mine and shell devices, etc.
• These are defined as any combustible or explosive composition or any substance or combination of substances which is intended to produce visible or audible effects by combustion, is suitable for use by the public, complies with the construction, performance, composition and labeling requirements promulgated by the Consumer Products Safety Commission in 16 CFR (relating to commercial practices) or any successor regulation and complies with the provisions for "consumer fireworks" as defined in APA 87-1 or any successor standard, the sale, possession and use of which shall be permitted throughout this Commonwealth.
• M-80s, M-100s, Quarter-sticks, Half-sticks, and cherry bombs, which are illegal in most of the U.S., remain illegal in Pennsylvania.

A person who is at least 18 years of age and meets the requirements below may purchase, possess, and use consumer fireworks if:

• They do not use them within 150 feet of a structure, vehicle, or place of business or residence (occupied or not).
• They have the permission of the property owner
• They do not use them within, from or into a building
• They do not use them within, from or into a motor vehicle
• They do not use them at another person
• They do not use them while under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance or another drug.

In addition to previously allowed devices; the sales of consumer fireworks from temporary structures (tents) are limited to the following:

• Helicopter, Aerial Spinner (APA 87-1, 3.1.2.3).
• Roman Candle (APA 87-1, 3.1.2.4).
• Mine and shell devices not exceeding 500 grams.