Massachusetts is now the only state in the U.S. with a full ban on consumer fireworks. Private citizens cannot possess, sell, or use fireworks of any kind in the Bay State, including sparklers and firecrackers. This ban has been in place since 1943, with World War II being the last time residents were able to use fireworks for personal displays. In 2014, Massachusetts was among three other states in the Northeast with similar bans, but since then, restrictions have been relaxed in Delaware, New Jersey, and New York.
Delaware now allows ground-based fireworks and sparklers on certain holidays, while New Jersey permits certain sparklers and novelty items for people 16 and older. Some states have lifted restrictions due to potential tax revenue generated by fireworks sales. Massachusetts officials are still advising residents to leave fireworks to the professionals, with fines and confiscation of illegal fireworks for those caught possessing them. Fire departments in Massachusetts have reported numerous fires, injuries, and damages related to illegal fireworks, leading to concerns about safety and property damage.
In 2022, fire departments reported 106 fires and explosions, 38 injuries, and over $400,000 in damages caused by fireworks. The Department of Fire Services and State Police have documented nearly 1,000 fires and 200 burns and injuries from illegal fireworks in Massachusetts between 2013 and 2022. To provide safe alternatives, the Department of Fire Services maintains a webpage listing professional fireworks displays across the state that residents can attend.