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People trying to bring fireworks into Maine may be arrested at the border, the state fire marshal says.

By KELLEY BOUCHARD Staff Writer July 3, 2008

 

The state fire marshal has a warning for any Mainers who plan to buy fireworks in New Hampshire for Fourth of July celebrations:

"We'll be watching," John Dean said.

In the days around the July 4 holiday, investigators with the state Fire Marshal's Office are staking out fireworks stores in New Hampshire, where fireworks are legal, Dean said.

Mainers suspected of buying fireworks may be stopped and arrested as they cross the border. Penalties range from a $50 fine for having less than $100 worth of fireworks to 10 years in prison for having more than $5,000 worth of fireworks.

Five states ban the use of all fireworks by consumers: Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island, according to the National Fire Protection Association. The other 45 states, including Maine, permit some or all consumer fireworks.

Maine allows the sale and use of sparklers and caps like those for cap guns, Dean said. The sale, possession and use of all other consumer fireworks, such as bottle rockets, Roman candles and firecrackers, is illegal.

Fireworks displays such as those presented by Portland and other municipalities must be produced by state-certified operators who have permits from local fire officials.

While sparklers are ubiquitous in Maine at this time of year, Dean worries that some people think they're safe because they're legal.

The sparking metal sticks burn hotter than 1,000 degrees and can easily burn or impale someone or start a fire if they're not handled carefully.

"That's hot enough to melt gold, and we give them to kids," Dean said.

There are more fires on the Fourth of July than on any other day of the year, and more than half of them are associated with fireworks, according to the fire protection association.

In all of 2005, fireworks caused about 2,500 structure and vehicle fires, with damage totaling $39 million. In 2006, hospital emergency rooms nationwide treated about 9,200 people for fireworks-related injuries.

"If you want to see fireworks, go to a good, licensed, professional show," Dean said. "We want people to have a good time. We're just hoping people do it safely."

Staff Writer Kelley Bouchard can be contacted at 791-6328 or at:

kbouchard@pressherald.com