Boston Police has set up a fireworks reporting hotline for the holiday weekend because of the constant illegal fireworks activity this week.
During the weekend of July 3–6, BPD has set up a special non-emergency phone line for reporting fireworks-related issues.
Please contact Boston Police at (617) 343-9800 to report any fireworks activity.
BPD stated, “Dial 911 for emergencies or situations requiring immediate police response.”
Police in Massachusetts are required by law to confiscate any unlawful fireworks they come across while performing their jobs.
This includes fireworks that were brought to Massachusetts after being legally purchased in another state.
Illegal fireworks usage or possession involves a fine as well, and illegal fireworks sales are punishable by arrest and maybe jail time.
Between 2020 and 2024, 111 of the 220 visits to Massachusetts emergency departments connected to fireworks were in June and July. In addition, 366 of the 559 fires and explosions brought on by pyrotechnics during the same five-year period occurred during these months.
Compared to 2020, when 187 fires or explosions and 75 emergency room visits were recorded statewide, both injuries and fires were comparatively stable last year.
Children also sustain some of the most serious burn injuries from sparklers. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 900 injuries from sparklers and 1,600 injuries from firecrackers were treated in emergency rooms in 2020.
Nearly 10% of all injuries caused by fireworks that year were attributable to this. Children under the age of five accounted for 44% of the 900 sparkler-related injuries.
Even after they have been extinguished, sparklers can still start flames because they are hot enough. Nine persons were displaced in a three-alarm fire in Dracut in 2022 as a result of the careless disposal of sparklers.
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Throughout the summer, the Department of Fire Services updates its list of approved professional fireworks displays every week.
Go to www.mass.gov/info-details/leave-fireworks-to-the-professionals to see the list of professional fireworks.
