By Justin Saglio
The Fourth of July ... the perfect time of year to set off small explosions in your backyard, right?
Wrong.
Massachusetts has some very strict regulations regarding the sale, possession and transport of fireworks, and when you look at the numbers, you'll understand why.
Basically, "The law prohibits any article designed to produce a visible or audible effect," according to a fireworks safety factsheet published by the state.
The penalties for breaking the law include up to a year in jail for selling fireworks to fines ranging from $10 to $1,000 depending on the situation.
But even the so-called "safe and sane" fireworks can be extremely dangerous. The tip of a sparkler can burn at 1,800 degrees, according to a state fact sheet. That's six times hotter than a pan of cooking oil, St. John's University reported in a newsletter.
According to statistics reported by the Massachusetts Fire Incident Reporting System (MFIRS), there were 803 major fires caused by fireworks in the decade from 2002-2012.
"They caused one civilian death, 18 civilian injuries, three fire service injuries, and an estimated dollar loss of $2.6 million, which is high considering most fireworks fires are outdoor brush fires," according to the factsheet.
If all the dangers don't deter you from an at-home fireworks display, keep this in mind. Fireworks are not cheap and state law requires that police confiscate them -- even if you bought them legally in another state -- which could set you back hundreds of dollars in fireworks plus that fine you'll be paying.
Perhaps you're better bet is just to enjoy one of the many nearby professional fireworks displays.
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