New Jersey residents should be aware of illegality of fireworks

L ast year, 14 persons were treated in hospital emergency room for injuries resulting from the use of fireworks. Once again we are entering the fireworks season, and I would like to acquaint you with New Jersey's fireworks laws.

New Jersey's laws on fireworks N.J.S.A. 21:2-1 and N.J.S.A. 21-31 are very restrictive. In some states, fireworks are permitted to be sold to and used by the public. However, in New Jersey, only paper or plastic caps used for toy guns are legal.

Sparklers and novelty items such as cigarette loads, trick matches, trick noise makers, smoke grenades, toy propellants, snaps and pops, poppetts and champagne poppers as well as firecrackers, roman candles, rockets, etc., are all illegal in this state.

Do not be fooled by a salesperson who tries to tell you that they are authorized to be sold by the Commission Product Safety Commission, or are sold by mail-order houses, or are permitted to be sold in other stores or are permitted to be shipped by the U.S Department of Transportation.

I repeat! The only fireworks that can legally be sold and used in the state of New Jersey are paper and plastic caps for toy cap guns. If you have any doubt when approached by a salesman, please contact the Office of Public safety

Compliance at 609-292- 2069 for verification.

The law states the following:

• Sale or possession of fireworks, with an intent to sell, is a crime of the fourth

degree

• A person found guilty

guns."

of possessing fireworks,

sparklers, with the intent to sell them can be fined up to $7,500, and/or imprisoned

for up to 18 months

• Any person found using fireworks illegally can be fined up to $500 and/or imprisoned for up to 30 days.

Raymond J. Hayducka

Chief of Police South Brunswick