Fireworks Safety and the Law

Although the purchase of some types of fireworks may be legal in some neighboring states, the fact remains that they are still illegal to use or even possess in Illinois.

In addition to the illegality, at times people tend to overlook the obvious dangers involved. Fireworks can also find their way into the hands of children who can be burned, blinded and otherwise injured from heat, fire, projectiles and explosions. Remember, fireworks are gunpowder explosives and are just plain dangerous.

Here's something that you may not have known... One out of every three fireworks injuries is to the eyes, and one out of every four fireworks eye injuries means some kind of permanent blindness. You can learn more about eye safety from the Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness.

Spring Grove’s ordinances prohibit any person from using, selling, delivering, exploding or possessing fireworks in the village all year round. The term "fireworks" includes firecrackers, cherry bombs, M-80's, bottle rockets and Roman candles.

Did you know that the tip of a sparkler burns at 1,800 degrees!

Remember, the laws in Illinois do not change over the July 4 holiday or for any other holiday. In other words, fireworks are no more legal on these dates than they are at other times of the year. The Spring Grove Police Department stresses that all complaints of fireworks are thoroughly investigated. If someone is found to be in violation, the items in question will be confiscated and the person(s) involved will be arrested and/or charged when appropriate. This applies to both adults and minors alike.

Fireworks Ordinance: Chapter 19, Article 3. Paragraph 17

The term fireworks shall mean and include any explosive composition, or any substance or combination of substances or article prepared for the purpose of producing an audible effect by explosion or detonation only, and shall include blank cartridges, toy cannons, in which explosives are used, the type of balloons which require fire underneath to propel the same, firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, Roman candles, bombs or other fireworks of like construction and any fireworks containing any explosive compound or any tablets or other devices containing any explosive substance. The term fireworks shall not include sparklers which do not contain magnesium, toy pistols, toy canes, toy guns or other devices in which paper caps containing .25 grains or less explosive compound are used; provided they are so constructed that the hand cannot come in contact with the cap when in place for the explosion. It shall also not include toy pistol caps which contain .25 grains or less explosive mixture and which are packed in packages or containers containing 300 caps or less, the sale and use of which shall be permitted at all times.

The police department will aggressively enforce this ordinance.