Once again the Fourth of July is upon us. The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office wants to wish you a safe and happy fourth. As you celebrate, we remind residents to exercise safety and to obey firework regulations. In unincorporated areas of McHenry County, fireworks are regulated by the State of Illinois Fireworks Act. In Illinois, most fireworks are illegal. Please follow the link below if you need more information. Many municipalities have additional restrictions and regulations; please check with your local municipality for additional information.
Here are a few tips to help you celebrate safely:
- Wear safety glasses when using legal fireworks and sparklers.
- Adults should always be around and supervise children around firework displays.
- Never use or play with any type of firework within or near to a vehicle.
- Be aware and careful of where you point fireworks and where they may land.
- Do not consume alcoholic beverages when you will be using fireworks.
Under the Illinois Fireworks Act (425ILCS 35/1), it is illegal to possess, purchase or use consumer fireworks without a consumer display permit obtained from local authorities. Help prevent accidents for you and your family by avoiding explosives and leaving fireworks to trained professionals. For more information about fireworks safety and the law; please visit http://www.sfm.illinois.gov.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office encourages you to follow the state law and these safety tips to ensure that you have a great Fourth of July.
