Abingdon
Police Department
For Immediate
Release
Town of Abingdon, VA Firework Information
As you plan your Independence Day celebrations, it is
important to understand the laws regulating firework use in the Commonwealth of
Virginia. The Abingdon Police Department is providing a list of permitted
fireworks and safety tips.
- Permitted:
- Sparklers
- Fountains
- Pharaoh’s serpents
- Pinwheels
- Whirligigs
- Prohibited:
- Firecrackers
- Skyrockets
- Bottle rockets
- Roman candles
- Torpedoes
- Any fireworks which explode,
travel laterally, rise into the air, or fire projectiles into the air.
·
Safety Tips
- When lighting fireworks - Set
family boundaries. Have a designated adult light all fireworks. Use eye
protection. Light one at a time, move away quickly and keep at a safe
distance until the display is finished. To prevent injuries, never throw
fireworks, and never hold fireworks in your hand. Never re-light a “dud”
firework.
- Always read and follow the
directions on the label.
- Only use fireworks outdoors
and away from anything flammable.
- Never shoot fireworks in metal
or glass containers.
- Use fireworks in parking lots,
driveways, and gravel/dirt areas.
- Do not use under the influence
of alcohol
- Have a rake or shovel as well
as a bucket of water, a wet towel, and a garden hose nearby.
- Monitor the area for several
hours after using fireworks.
·
Be mindful of neighbors, especially veterans.
o For military veterans dealing with post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD), multicolor pyrotechnics, and unexpected blasts can
trigger memories of combat and induce anxiety.
o Please advise neighbors and veterans in your area of
firework usage, so they can plan accordingly.
·
Keep pets safe
o Loud
noises associated with fireworks make dogs nervous. Frightened dogs feel more
secure in small, familiar spaces. If pet owners crate their dogs, they should
put them in the crate during a fireworks display. If not, pet owners can
prepare a small, dimly-lit room, and can leave on the television or radio to
drown out the fireworks. Dogs should never be left alone outside during a
fireworks display. The noises could prompt them to run away.
o Also,
many dogs think the fast-moving twirling, spinning fireworks are something they
should go fetch and bring back to their owners, and this could harm the pet.
The Abingdon
Town Code addresses fireworks through the following code sections:
·
Sec. 34-81. - When
manufacture, transportation, sale, storage, use of fireworks unlawful.
Except as otherwise
provided in this article, it shall be unlawful for any person to transport,
manufacture, store, sell, offer for sale, expose for sale, or to buy, use,
ignite or explode any firecracker, torpedo, skyrocket, or other substance or
thing, of whatever form or construction, that contains any explosive or
inflammable compound or substance, and is intended, or commonly known, as
fireworks and which explodes, rises into the air or travels laterally, or fires
projectiles into the air, other than sparks or those fireworks excepted under
the provisions of subsection (a) of section
34-83. (Code 1985, § 7-14)
State Law reference— Similar provisions, Code of
Virginia, § 59.1-142.
·
Sec. 34-82. -
Permit for exhibition or display.
Any person desiring to
conduct or present a display of fireworks may do so if he has obtained a permit
for such display from the town manager. It shall be unlawful for the holder of
such a permit to fail, neglect or refuse to comply with the terms of such
permit in conducting or presenting an exhibition or display of fireworks pursuant
thereto. (Code 1985, § 7-15)
·
Sec. 34-83. -
Article inapplicable to certain fireworks; use of such fireworks.
(a)
This article shall not
apply to the use or the sale of sparklers, fountains, Pharaoh's serpents, caps
for pistols, or to pinwheels commonly known as whirligigs or spinning jennies.
(b)
The fireworks listed in subsection (a) of this
section may only be used, ignited or exploded on private property with the
consent of the owner of such property. (Code 1985, § 7-16)
State Law
reference— Similar
provisions, Code of Virginia, § 59.1-147.
·
Sec. 34-84. -
Penalty.
Any person who violates
any provision of this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon
conviction thereof, be punished by confinement in jail not to exceed 12 months,
or by a fine not exceeding $1,000.00, or both such fine and imprisonment. (Code
1985, § 7-17)
State Law reference— Penalty for violation, Code of
Virginia, § 59.1-145.
Remember, no matter
how breathtaking fireworks are or how easy they appear to use, they are
potential fire starters. The safest way to prevent fireworks-related injuries
and property damage is to leave fireworks displays to trained professionals.
