Rhode Island has several companies like Lambert that sell fireworks. Just before July 4, some retailers also set up temporary locations such as tents in parking lots to sell fireworks. Lambert established temporary sales offices in East Providence and Warren. “I hope to have a good fourth of July, but it won`t bring the numbers we hope for because everything is so expensive,” he said. “People will always buy fireworks because they want to celebrate, but they will reduce because everything is much more money, the more the price of gasoline they have to eat food, everything is more money.” Large fireworks from the air are allowed with permission. Anyone caught selling, possessing or using prohibited fireworks can face a fine of up to $1,000, up to a year in prison, or both. “Every neighborhood in our city has been plagued by the illegal use of fireworks, and that`s partly because many residents don`t realize that Rhode Island`s only legal fireworks are sparks,” said Jo-Ann Ryan, majority leader on the City Council. “Over the past few weeks, I have heard from constituents and colleagues about the large-scale use of fireworks in our community. The fact is that neighbors don`t want to call each other`s police, but those who completely ignore their neighbors need to understand the impact of their behavior on the community. A week ago, I immediately started researching what I could do as a city councillor to protect the quality of life of my neighbors. Working with Mayor Elorza and his staff, we realized that we needed a holistic approach to this very serious quality of life issue.
Heckman expects consumers to still spend on fireworks this year, but their budgets won`t go as far as in previous years. The legal use of fireworks involves ensuring proper storage. Here in Rhode Island, we`re limited to 125 pounds of fireworks per controlled storage space. The IR Fire Marshal defines a controlled area as “a designated area, indoor or outdoor, where limited quantities of hazardous materials may be stored, used, handled or distributed.” “The health and well-being of our residents is our top priority,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “We encourage residents to pay attention to the safety of their neighbours and not to use fireworks or dangerous explosives, especially in our densely populated neighbourhoods.” However, those who want to stock up on legal fireworks before the holidays should be willing to pay a pretty penny due to inflation and supply chain issues. The state fire marshal here provides a practical list that defines both legal and illegal fireworks. Rhode Island defines legal fireworks as “terrestrial and portable radios.” These devices do not explode or rise in the air, nor do they fire projectiles into the air, but can create a cloud of smoke. This category includes: While most cities host extravagant fireworks for July 4, in most cases here in Rhode Island, it`s illegal to have your own private exhibition.
Below we have compiled a list of fireworks that can be legally enjoyed in a safe environment. Read on to learn more about the safe and legal use of fireworks in Rhode Island. To file a complaint or report the use of illegal fireworks, residents are asked to contact the Providence Police Department`s non-emergency number (401) 272-3121 or use the police`s online reporting system. Please DO NOT call 9-1-1 to report fireworks. PROVIDENCE, RI — Mayor Jorge O. Elorza and City Council Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan today joined Providence public safety officials to announce collaboration between city departments to crack down on the use and sale of fireworks banned by the region. The city will now require all fireworks vendors to have a permit to sell fireworks. Suppliers must submit a separate application for each location where fireworks are sold. Each permit costs $50 and is valid for one year.
For those who want to enjoy a great fireworks display and be safe at the same time, Elorza said residents can head to India Point Park at sunset on Sunday, July 3 to see the city`s fireworks. Before you fill up on fireworks for the fourth of July, make sure what you`re turning on is legal in Rhode Island. Here at Ocean State, only certain fireworks on the ground and sparks of hands are allowed, Coventry police reminded residents before the holidays. All fireworks that fire a projectile or rocket into the air are illegal in Rhode Island. Also illegal are all explosives that produce a “bang”, a detonation or a report. These include: Mayor Jorge Elorza pointed out that some fireworks are illegal for a reason and asks residents to be considerate of their neighbors. Under Rhode Island law, only cut and portable sparks (“sparks”) are legal for the general public. Any fireworks, rocket, mortar or other equipment that fires a projectile and/or makes a “bang” is illegal. Studies have shown the dangers of unauthorized use of these fireworks. There were 12,900 fireworks-related injuries in U.S. hospitals in 2017 alone, and about 19,500 fires are started by fireworks each year. Rhode Island is “part of the movement” between states to ease restrictions on fireworks, Heckman said.
In 2010, Rhode Island legalized the use of certain ground-based and portable fireworks such as sparks. Providence Police Chief Col. Hugh Clements said officers will patrol for fireworks from Thursday night to the weekend, and then the following weekend and in the weeks that follow, they will “rearrange things to catch unprepared people.” Attorney Mike Bottaro has years of experience representing clients in personal injury lawsuits and insurance settlement proceedings in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, including clients suffering from fireworks injuries. If you have been injured in an accident, Bottaro Law Firm, LLC can help. Contact us today to arrange your free consultation. To report illegal use of fireworks, do not call 911, but call the non-emergency phone number of your local police department, as recommended by officers. Possession and display of commercial fireworks requires a certificate of competency from the state fire marshal. You must apply for a fireworks permit with a copy of your insurance certificate at least 15 days in advance. If the exhibition is carried out on the property of the city, an additional permit must be obtained from the parking service. State law still prohibits the sale, use, or possession of fireworks from the air, including “fireworks, rockets, mortars, or any other equipment that fires a projectile and/or makes a `bang`/detonation/report,” Hodge noted.
Sales of consumer fireworks have boomed in the U.S. over the past 20 years as states eased restrictions, Heckman said. More recently, COVID has contributed to this increase. With cities, towns and other organizations cancelling large community exhibitions, residents have purchased supplies for home exhibitions, she says. They chartered 12 ships to bring more than 32,000 fireworks containers from China to ports in Louisiana and Alabama, bypassing the backward ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Heckman said. In Rhode Island, only ground radios and portable radios are legal for general use; Those who shoot in the air or make a bang are prohibited. § 11-13-1 Sale, use or possession of fireworks. (a) no person may offer, possess or have under his control, use or explode for sale in the retail or wholesale trade, or explode for exhibition or entertainment, display fireworks or fireworks from the air, unless authorizations have been obtained in accordance with this chapter and chapters 23-28.11; Fireworks are defined in Standard 87-1 (APA 87-1) 2001 Edition Section 2.7.2 of the American Pyrotechnic Association and are classified as 1.3G explosives by the United States Department of Transportation (U.S.
DOT), UN0335. Fireworks in the air are defined in section 3.1.2 of the 2001 edition of APA 87-1. and are rated 1.4G U.S. DOT, UN 0336. The storage, possession, sale, transportation and use of items in the above reference section that are not included in the definition of fireworks and fireworks for consumers from the air are permitted at any time throughout the state for persons who are at least sixteen (16) years of age. Permits for commercial fireworks and aerial fireworks may be granted in accordance with the provisions of the Rhode Island Fire Code, Chapter 28.1 28.39 of Title 23.