Get ready to pay more for your 4th of July fireworks

6abc Digital Staff Image
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Get ready to pay more for fireworks this year
Get ready to pay more for fireworks this year. Jillian Mele reports for Action News on June 27, 2022.

BENSALEM TWP., Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- Everything seems to be costing more these days and that includes the cost of fireworks for the 4th of July.

Owners of the All American Fireworks in Bensalem say the cost of fireworks have increased by about 10% because shipping costs have tripled.

"The prices going up on everything," said owner Anthony Odessa.

Erica Hornan is prepping for a backyard BBQ of her own and doesn't mind paying a few extra bucks this year for the fireworks.

And fireworks won't be the only thing that will hit the wallet, the American Farm Bureau says your cookout will cost about 17% more than last year.

In Pennsylvania, consumer fireworks are legal, but they cannot be discharged within 150 feet of an occupied structure. Heavy-duty fireworks, like M80s, are illegal.

Philadelphia can and does substantially restrict fireworks in certain ways:

  • The Philadelphia Fire Code bans the use of consumer fireworks within 150 feet of occupied properties.

  • The Fire Code prohibits people from setting off fireworks on public or private land without permission of the owner.

  • High-explosive fireworks known as Class M, such as M-80s, are illegal in the city.

  • It's against the law to sell fireworks on the street or sidewalk.

In New Jersey, hand-held sparklers and ground-based sparklers, and novelty items, including party poppers and snappers are permitted. All other fireworks will remain illegal in the state.

The law restricts the sale of sparklers to individuals who are 16 years old and over.

Under Delaware law, sparklers and ground-based items may be purchased by someone that is 18+ years old and sold in Delaware only on these dates: June 4 - July 4, and December 1 - January 1. Sparklers and ground-based items may only be used in Delaware on July 4, December 31 and January 1.

Click here for a full list of fireworks displays around the Philadelphia region.