The Winchester Police Department and Fire Marshal’s Office are reminding residents that all fireworks with the exception of sparklers and fountains are illegal Connecticut and may not be sold, purchased, or used, with the exception of regulated fireworks displays by state licensed, professional pyro technicians at sites, which have been approved by state and local officials.

WINSTED — The Winchester Police Department and Fire Marshal’s Office are reminding residents that all fireworks with the exception of sparklers and fountains are illegal Connecticut and may not be sold, purchased, or used, with the exception of regulated fireworks displays by state licensed, professional pyro technicians at sites, which have been approved by state and local officials.

Fireworks are defined by law as :any combustible or explosive composition prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration or detonation.” Novelties and trick noise makers such as smoke bombs, party poppers, snappers and the “snake” are banned by Connecticut General Statute 29-357. Sky lanterns are also prohibited under this statute, according to police.

Larger so-called "fire crackers" are actually explosive devices, which are banned by both state and federal law. They include M-80’s, M-100’s, M-250’s and larger, cherry bombs, quarter sticks, block busters and other similar devices. Possession of these devices is prohibited by Connecticut General Statute 29-348, Illegal Possession of Explosives; manufacture of these devices is prohibited by Connecticut General Statute 53-80a., Manufacture of Bombs. The only exceptions to the fireworks statute are paper caps which contain less than .025 grains of explosive material, according to the police department.

“In 2017, eight people died and more than 12,000 were injured badly enough to require medical treatment after fireworks-related incidents,” according to the police department. “Of these, 50 percent of the injuries were to children and young adults under age 20. Over two-thirds, or 67 percent of injuries took place between June 16 and July 16. And while the majority of these incidents were due to amateurs attempting to use professional-grade, homemade or other illegal fireworks or explosives, an estimated 1,200 injuries were from less powerful devices like small firecrackers and sparklers.”

Additionally, fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires each year, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires and nearly 17,000 other fires.

“The only safe way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public display conducted at a state approved site by state-licensed pyro-technicians,” according to the department.

During the Fourth of July Holiday weekend, the Winchester Police Department will be enforcing all state laws and regulations on fireworks.