SALEM – With the July 4th holiday approaching, the City of Salem, Salem Fire Department, and Salem Police Department would like to remind the community that fireworks are illegal in Massachusetts. State law prohibits the detonation of fireworks, the sale of fireworks, and the purchase of fireworks out-of-state that are subsequently transported into Massachusetts.
In the last decade there have been nearly 1,000 major fires and explosions in the Commonwealth due to illegal fireworks, including fires right here in Salem. Fireworks can cause brush and residential fires, even from a single ember landing in a gutter or lawn.
Fireworks cause extreme stress to veterans and others who may struggle with mental health challenges exacerbated by the loud noise they cause. Panic attacks, injury, loss of sleep, and other disruptions from fireworks being detonated place a tremendous burden on seniors, veterans, and pets.
Lastly, fireworks can result in extreme injury both to the individual setting them off and those nearby. Even small fireworks like sparklers can cause significant and permanent damage, including burns and loss of limbs or fingers. Two out of every five fireworks-related burn injuries are to children and one quarter of them are to children younger than 10 years old. Fireworks are unpredictable and dangerous.
Fines for illegally using fireworks are enforced in Salem at the maximum levels allowed under state law. That means $300 per offense from the Salem Police Department for detonating them, up to $1,000 and potential incarceration for illegally selling fireworks, and up to $1,000 from the Salem Fire Department in additional fines.
Salem Police and Fire Department personnel respond to illegal fireworks complaints in a targeted manner. You can help them respond effectively to these incidents by reporting them using the online tool at www.salemma.gov/fireworks calling 978-744-1212. In an emergency, call 9-1-1.
TRANSCRIPT OF PSA VIDEOS
Chief Dionne: Hi, I’m Alan Dionne, Chief of the Salem Fire Department.
Chief Miller: And I’m Lucas Miller, Chief of the Salem Police Department.
Chief Dionne: We’re here to talk to you today about fireworks.
Chief Miller: Fireworks can be extremely disruptive to your neighbors, and especially stressful to seniors and veterans.
Chief Dionne: Fireworks are extremely dangerous. They can cause house fires and they’ve caused major fires right here in the city of Salem.
Chief Miller: In Salem, we will be enforcing fireworks regulations. You can be subject to a $300 fine at the hands of the Police Department and up to $1,000 at the hands of the Fire Department.
Chief Dionne: So, this year, please leave fireworks out of your holiday celebration. Have a great, safe holiday weekend.
Chief Miller: You can also help us out by reporting illegal fireworks at salem.com/fireworks or 978-744-1212.
Chief Miller: Hello, I’m Chief Lucas Miller of the Salem Police Department.
Sergeant Gaito: Hola, me llama Sargento Gaito del departamento de policia de Salem.
Chief Miller: We’re here to talk to you about the use of illegal fireworks in Salem.
Sergeant Gaito: Queremos hablar con la gente de Salem un mensaje importante de fuegos artificiales.
Chief Miller: Fireworks can be extremely disruptive to your neighbors, and they’re especially stressful to our seniors and our veterans.
Sergeant Gaito: Ellos son disruptivo de su vecinos y causa mucho estres especialmente ha ancianos y veteranos.
Chief Miller: The Salem Police Department will be out enforcing regulations against illegal fireworks. You could be subject to a $300 fine from the Police Department or a $1000 fine from the Fire Department.
Sergeant Gaito: La policia de Salem presentar cargas y aplicar la maxima multa de la ley. Eso es $300 por ofensa de la policia y posible otro $1000 de la cuerpo de bomberos.
Chief Miller: You can help us out by reporting illegal fireworks at salem.com/fireworks or by calling 978-744-1212.
Sergeant Gaito: Puede ayudar a nosotros si tu puedes informar fuegos artificiales ha el sitio web Salem.com/fireworks o llaman 978-744-1212.
Chief Miller: We hope you enjoy Independence Day in Salem this year, and we hope you stay very safe.
Sergeant Gaito: Tiene respeto a su vecinos. Evitar multa. Y no tire fuegos artificiales que son ilegal. Le deseamos a usted que tengas unas vacaciones seguras.
