Fireworks Safety
Whether you're celebrating Independence Day or the New Year, a backyard barbecue or other family occasion, it is important to understand the laws regulating fireworks use in the District of Columbia.
Between June 18 and July 18, 2005, firecrackers, sparklers, and rockets accounted for most of the injuries seen in emergency departments. The US National Fire Protection Association and CDC strongly recommend that fireworks be used only by professionals.
What’s Prohibited?
In general, any firework that explodes is illegal in the District.
PROHIBITED
- Firecrackers of any kind or description
- Any firework that explodes, such as cherry bombs, salutes, Roman candles, floral shells, artillery shells
- Any firework intended to move after the piece is placed and fired; such as bottle rockets, parachutes, buzzbombs, pinwheels, helicopters, jumping jacks
- Sparklers more than 20 inches (50mm) in length
- Any firework that contains mercury, arsenic, tetryl, phosporous, sulphocyanide, magnesium, potassium picrate, gallic acid, chlorate of potash and sugar, or any highly oxidizing agent
- Any firework having a side fuse, or a fuse inserted at any point along the length of the firework
- Any firework found by the code official to be dangerous to the safety of persons or property
PERMITTED
- Any firework specifically excepted in this article
- Toy paper caps containing not more than twenty-five hundredths (0.25) of a grain of explosive composition per cap
- Sparklers not more than 20 inches (50mm) in length
- Torches, cones
- Box fires, fountains
- Dip-sticks, non-poisonous snakes
- Paper novelty items, colored lights
NOTE: Section 5609 (Consumer Fireworks) of the District of Columbia Fire Code (2017), an amended version of the International Fire Code of 2015, governs the handling and
possession of fireworks in the District.
Penalties
Any person found engaging in the use or possession of illegal fireworks in the District of Columbia could face fines and penalties starting at $2,000 or arrest for further prosecution.
Reporting Illegal Fireworks
Residents may report the use or sale of illegal fireworks to the DC Fire Marshals office at (202) 673-ARSON (2776), call 3-1-1, or complete the DC Fire Marshal Hotline Form.
The Fire/EMS Department seizes illegal fireworks products that are discovered in the District and destroys them after 30 days.
For more information, please visit the DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services fireworks safety page.
