BETHLEHEM, Pa. — This Fourth of July will be the first since updates were made to the Pennsylvania Fireworks law.
House Bill 1257 was signed into law as Act 74 of 2022. Effective Sept. 9, 2022, it made some noteworthy changes:
Which fireworks are residents allowed to purchase?
Pa. residents can purchase and use “Class C” or “consumer-grade” fireworks, such as firecrackers, Roman candles or bottle rockets, but they must contain 50 milligrams or less of explosive material.
Professional-grade fireworks can be used by professionals with a permit from the municipality where the display will take place.
What are the latest restrictions on fireworks use?
Some of the updates say that fireworks:
- Cannot be ignited or discharged on public or private property without permission of the property owner
- Cannot be directed at another person
- Cannot be discharged from or directed at a building or vehicle
- Cannot be discharged within 150 feet of a building or vehicle regardless if the building or vehicle is owned by the user of the fireworks
Where to see Fourth of July fireworks in the Lehigh Valley
Timing
The new law restricts the use of consumer fireworks between 10 p.m. and 10 a.m., except on July 2, 3, 4 and Dec. 31, when they may be used until 1 a.m.
If July 4 falls on a Tuesday (as it does this year), Wednesday or Thursday, they may be used until 1 a.m. on the immediately preceding and following Friday and Saturday.
Enforcement and penalties
“We will continue to enforce these regulations to the best of our ability over the holiday weekend,” Allentown Police Capt. Alicia Conjour said Friday.
“We will not be confiscating consumer-grade fireworks based solely upon observing them on private property. In most instances we will still need to observe the fireworks being lit in order to issue a citation.
"Ultimately, the decision to issue or not issue a citation will be decided on a case-by-case basis based on the totality of the circumstances pertinent to the incident.”
A post on the city’s Facebook page reminded residents to leave fireworks to the pros, highlighting a maximum penalty of $1,000 and 30 days in jail, which would come after a third violation.
A first violation would mean a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $100; a second violation is a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $300.
More than 10,000 people were treated in emergency rooms and 11 people died from fireworks-related injuries last year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's 2022 Fireworks Annual Report.
Of the injuries, 38% were burns, with the hands and fingers among the most injured body parts, according to the report.
