RICHMOND, Va. -- Plan on having your own fireworks display this weekend? Well chances are it's illegal without a permit. Possessing anything from firecrackers, bottle rockets, or roman candles can result in fine of up to $2,500 and jail time. But some fireworks are legal in Hanover County.
"We got a wide variety. Everything is legal. It's safe and sane. We got fountains, sparklers, and we've got some big assortments back here," says Patrick Fleming who works at a fireworks shop off the Washington Highway in Hanover County. This establishment sells products that don't explode or rise in the air which are 100 percent illegal in Virginia.
This establishment sells products that don't explode or rise in the air, which are 100 percent illegal in Virginia.
Fleming lists “Mama's Favorite,” a Duck Commander product, as a brand new this year. It promises silver and gold showers, to have lots of crackling and a lot of fun.
Fun is exactly what Hanover resident Matt Frame and his family plan on having this weekend; with a safety plan ready.
"Each of the adults and myself make sure where the other one is while setting up fireworks or lighting fireworks," Frame said. "You know you can always have an inadvertent situation and we make sure to try to avoid that at all costs."
Frame does not allow his children to handle the fireworks, which is one of the recommendations by the National Council on Fireworks Safety. They also make sure to keep a safe distance after lighting a fuse.
“We basically close the street down so we ensure that we follow the safety guidelines enforced by the county and the area,” says Frame.
Fleming added, "read the instructions on the box. Be safe, be careful. But as long as your smart about it, you shouldn't have any issues."
Fireworks of any kind are prohibited in Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield counties.
Make sure to check with the local police department in the surrounding counties to see if they allow particular fireworks.
