HoCo Police: Party Safely this Fourth of July

Ground-based sparkler devices are not legal in Howard County, despite what your friend across the Patpasco River says, according to a statement released by the Howard County Police Department in advance of the Fourth of July.

“In other parts of the state, certain ground-based sparkler devices are legal, but in Howard County, the sale, possession and use of ground-based sparklers is prohibited,” the statement reads. And a violation could cost you up to $1,000. 

It’s been that way since a 2003 Howard County Council resolution, in response to public safety concerns, made the ground-based sparklers illegal, according to the Baltimore Sun.

The county hasn’t outlawed everything that sparkles and goes ‘boom,’ though. Handheld sparklers, ignitable snakes, party poppers, and snap ‘n’ pops are legal.

But, police say, these can still be dangerous toys. In fact, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 12 percent of all fireworks-related injuries come from sparklers.

• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Adults should always supervise fireworks activities.
• Allow a safe distance when lighting the fuse of a fireworks device.
• Never try to re-light fireworks that have not fully functioned.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire.
• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers. 
• After fireworks fully complete their functioning, douse the spent device with plenty of   water from a bucket or hose before discarding to prevent a trash fire