Morris County Sheriff’s Office Issues Fireworks Safety Tips

Published on July 02, 2025

Celebrate Safely This Fourth of July

Happy 4^th of July! Sheriff James M. Gannon and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office remind everyone to celebrate responsibly this Independence Day by following safety guidelines when handling fireworks.

Fireworks Safety Tips:

Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
Always supervise children, especially when using sparklers.
Use sparklers with extreme caution – they burn at very high temperatures and can cause serious injuries.

Legal Consumer Fireworks:

Ground-based sparkling devices
Smoke bombs
Handheld sparklers

Illegal Consumer Fireworks Include:

Firecrackers
Aerial rockets
Any device that explodes or launches into the air

Commercial Grade Fireworks:

Are for professional use only
Contain multiple explosive charges
Should never be handled by the public
Can cause serious injury or death

If You Encounter an Unexploded Firework:

Do not assume it is a “dud.”
Isolate the area and notify the fireworks display manager.
If found outside of a professional event, contact the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad immediately.

Know the Law:

New Jersey Law: Consumer fireworks must comply with state regulations
Federal Law: Governed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

The Morris County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad is available 24/7 to provide technical assistance in the event of a fireworks-related incident. To report suspicious items or for more information, contact the Morris County Communications Center at 973-285-2900.

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