Stafford Township currently has an Ordinance under Peace and Good Order
[Added 9-6-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-29[1]]
It shall be unlawful for any person to possess or use fireworks with the Township of Stafford, unless specifically permitted and properly licensed under Chapter 110 of this Township Code. Said prohibited fireworks shall include but not be limited to firecrackers, roman candles, bombs, shells and mortars, multiple tube devices, rockets, sparklers, ground spinners, party poppers and other devices of similar construction. Any person violating this section shall be subject to the penalties set forth in § 153-11 herein, including a fine in an amount not to exceed $1,000. For a second violation of this section, the person shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $2,500, and for a third violation, the person shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $5,000.
[1]
Editor’s Note: This ordinance also redesignated former § 153-10, Violations and penalties, as § 153-11.
[Amended 2-21-1989 by Ord. No. 89-22]
A. Any person violating or failing to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000, by imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days or by community service of not more than 90 days, or any combination of fine, imprisonment and community service as determined in the discretion of the Municipal Court Judge. The continuation of such violation for each successive day shall constitute a separate offense, and the person or persons allowing or permitting the continuation of the violation may be punished as provided above for each separate offense.
B. The violation of any provision of this chapter shall be subject to abatement summarily by a restraining order or injunction issued by a court of competent jurisdiction.
STATISTICAL INJURIES
The Consumer Product Safety Commission, the federal agency tasked with protecting the public from defective products, in a special study about fireworks found that in the year 2018:
- 67% of all fireworks injuries were sustained during the 30-day period surrounding the Independence Day holiday;
- 5,600 injuries occurred nationwide due to fireworks, most often with burns to the hands and head, including to the eyes, face, and ears;
- 36% of the injuries reported occurred to kids under the age of 15; and
- There were five reported deaths. The majority of fireworks injury reports involve emergency room treatment and release, but the more severe and fatal injuries were associated with the consumer’s use of professional-grade and homemade fireworks. In the four reported deaths involving fireworks, the victims were killed when the illegal devices exploded causing severe bodily trauma.
For a list of permitted firework items, it can be found HERE.
