As Fourth of July approaches, Montgomery County police and fire officials are reminding residents that fireworks are illegal and can be dangerous.
“Do what’s right, do not ignite,” Pete Piringer, chief spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS), wrote on social media Sunday.
On its fireworks information webpage, MCFRS writes that fireworks cause approximately 12 deaths, 2,000 serious eye injuries and 5,000 additional injuries–including amputated fingers–on a yearly basis nationwide. On Friday, the Consumer Product Safety Commission posted a warning on X that demonstrated the dangers of fireworks.
In addition to fireworks being a safety hazard, police and fire officials are reminding residents that they are also illegal in the county with penalties for fireworks violations including “a fine up to $1,000 and/or six months in jail,” according to the MCFRS blog post.
On Sunday, county police wrote on X that residents should “use discretion when reporting illegal fireworks” and use the non-emergency number when reporting such activity.
Rockville City police posted a similar message Saturday on its X account, noting its non-emergency number.
Piringer encouraged people in the county to “leave the fireworks to the professionals.” Several public displays are scheduled for later in the week including in Germantown, Poolesville, Rockville and Kensington.