Hull Police and Fire Departments Offer Tips for Safe Fourth of July Celebration

June 24, 2019 by Benjamin Paulin

For Immediate Release

Monday, June 24, 2019

Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Hull Police and Fire Departments Offer Tips for Safe Fourth of July Celebration

HULL — Police Chief John Dunn and Fire Chief Christopher Russo would like to remind Hull residents about some important safety tips that citizens can utilize to ensure that everyone has a fun and safe Fourth of July holiday next week.

Fireworks of all kinds are illegal in Massachusetts and open burning is only legal in the state between Jan. 15 and May 1. The Hull Police will take enhanced measures—including increased enforcement of beach parking regulations—in order to ensure that the ban on bonfires during the summer months is strictly adhered to and that fireworks are not being used at any time.

“We want everyone to enjoy their Fourth of July holiday and to be safe while do doing so,” Chief Dunn said. “The Fourth is one of the busiest times of year here in Hull and we expect many visitors who will come and enjoy a day at the beach. We ask visitors to please respect the rules of the beach and follow the laws while they celebrate safely and responsibly.”

Below is some basic information on the fireworks law in Massachusetts:

What is prohibited by the law?

Private citizens may not use, possess or sell fireworks anywhere in Massachusetts, nor may they purchase them legally elsewhere and transport them into Massachusetts. The law prohibits any item designed to produce a visible or audible effect.

What are the penalties?

A fine of up to $100 and mandatory confiscation of the fireworks, which cannot be returned.

Additionally, the Hull Police and Fire Departments remind residents to be aware of these key safety tips:

Don’t drink and drive
Be mindful of pedestrians
Attend organized and permitted fireworks displays
Report illegal bonfires to the police
Remember: alcohol and fireworks do not mix
Keep pets indoors
Do not leave items on the beach that could be used for burning

“Every year thousands of people are injured by mishandling or misusing fireworks,” Chief Russo said. “Fireworks accidents can cause serious injury or even death. Even sparklers can burn as hot as 2,000 degrees and should never be used by children. Please be safe this Fourth of July and as always, if you have an emergency, call 911.”

For more information on fireworks, click here. For more on general summer safety tips, click here.

This and other press releases are available by accessing the Town of Hull website at www.town.hull.ma.us

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Hull Police Remind Residents that Fireworks are Illegal in Massachusetts

June 25, 2018 by Benjamin Paulin

Hull Police Department
Chief John Dunn
1 School Street
Hull, MA 02045

For Immediate Release

Monday, June 25, 2018

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Hull Police Remind Residents that Fireworks are Illegal in Massachusetts

HULL — With the Fourth of July coming up next week, Chief John Dunn urges residents to leave fireworks to the professionals and reminds them that possessing or using fireworks in the state of Massachusetts is against the law.

It is illegal to use, possess or sell fireworks of any kind in Massachusetts, including Class C fireworks, which are sometimes falsely called “safe and sane fireworks.”

Class C fireworks include sparklers, party poppers, snappers, firecrackers, spinners, cherry bombs and more. Massachusetts residents are also prohibited from purchasing fireworks elsewhere and transporting them into the state.

Additionally, while officials cannot prohibit the advertising and sale of fireworks by mail, police can and will confiscate illegal shipments. Many consumers attempting to circumvent the law have lost both their money and their fireworks.

“Fireworks, like sparklers, seem harmless, but can easily cause burns if mishandled,” said Chief Dunn. “Please set a good example for your children and do not use fireworks. Residents can watch the many professional displays across the region the week of the Fourth of July.”

The Office of the State Fire Marshal reports that from 2007-2016, there were 826 major fire and explosion incidents involving illegal fireworks reported to the Massachusetts Fire Incident Reporting System. These incidents caused 11 civilian injuries, five fire service injuries and an estimated loss of $1.8 million.

In addition to injuries, the sound created by fireworks exploding can cause stress, which can be experienced by people who may be sensitive to loud noises, such as the elderly and veterans who may suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Pets may also be susceptible to such noises.

This does not mean residents cannot enjoy fireworks displays over the course of the summer. However, Chief Dunn recommends that residents only attend celebrations put on by a licensed professional to ensure safety.

Residents should also remember to:

Watch fireworks displays from a safe distance
Call 911 if anyone gets injured by fireworks
Set a positive example for children by not using illegal fireworks. If kids see adults using them, they may not realize the dangers and could be encouraged to pick up matches or lighters
Be careful around even the smallest fireworks. Sparklers burn at 1,800 degrees and could easily cause severe burns and injuries

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that fireworks can cause death and injury, including burns, loss of limbs or extremities, contusions, lacerations and eye injuries.

Fifty-one percent of fireworks-related burn injuries reported by hospitals to the Office of the State Fire Marshal from 2007-2016 were to children under age 18. More than a quarter of the victims were children under age 10.

Anyone who has questions about fireworks or firework safety should contact the Hull Police Department at 781-925-1212.

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Hull Police Department Offers Tips for Celebrating The Fourth of July Safely

June 23, 2017 by Jordan Mayblum

Hull Police Department
Chief John Dunn
1 School Street
Hull, MA 02045

For Immediate Release

Friday, June 23, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Hull Police Department Offers Tips for Celebrating The Fourth of July Safely

HULL — Chief John E. Dunn and the Hull Police Department wish to share an important reminder of several important safety tips as residents prepare to celebrate Independence Day at home and by the beach.

Fireworks of all kinds are illegal in Massachusetts and open burning is only legal in the state between Jan. 15 and May 1. The Hull Police will take enhanced measures—including ramped up enforcement of beach parking regulations—in order to ensure that the ban on bonfires during the summer months is strictly adhered to and that fireworks are being used at any time.

Hull Police also want to emphasize that a recent change to New Hampshire law legalizing firecrackers has no effect on the ban on those items, which remains in place in Massachusetts.

Below is some basic information on the fireworks law in Massachusetts:

What is prohibited by the law?

What are the penalties?

A fine of up to $100 and mandatory confiscation of the fireworks, which cannot be returned.

Additionally, Hull Police remind residents to be aware of these key safety tips:

Don’t drink and drive
Be mindful of pedestrians
Attend organized and permitted fireworks displays
Report illegal bonfires to the police
Remember: alcohol and fireworks do not mix
Keep pets indoors
Do not leave items on the beach that could be used for burning

“We want everyone to have a great Fourth of July, which is only possible if residents and visitors take care to celebrate safely and responsibly,” Chief Dunn said. “Residents can certainly enjoy an organized fireworks display this summer, but should never attempt to put one on themselves due to the tremendous risk of injury associated with them.”

For more information on fireworks, click here. For more on general summer safety tips, click here.

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Hull Police Reminds Community that Fireworks are Illegal in Massachusetts

June 24, 2016 by

Hull Police Department
Acting Chief Robert C. Sawtelle
1 School Street
Hull, MA 02045

For Immediate Release

Friday, June 24, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Hull Police Reminds Community that Fireworks are Illegal in Massachusetts

HULL — With summer weather quickly approaching, Chief Robert C. Sawtelle and the Hull Police Department, in conjunction with the Hull Fire Department, are reminding residents that all use of fireworks are illegal in Massachusetts.

It is illegal to use, possess, or sell fireworks of any kind in Massachusetts, including Class C fireworks, which are sometimes falsely called “safe and sane fireworks.” Class C fireworks include sparklers, party poppers, snappers, firecrackers, spinners, cherry bombs and more. Citizens are also prohibited from purchasing fireworks elsewhere and then transporting them into the state.

Additionally, while the government cannot prohibit the advertising and sale of fireworks by mail, police can and will confiscate illegal shipments. Many consumers attempting to circumvent the law have lost both their money and their fireworks.

“Any residents found in possession of fireworks risk a fine of up to $100,” Chief Sawtelle said. “We encourage everyome to keep the safety of the community in mind and stay away from unlicensed use of fireworks this summer.”

The Office of the State Fire Marshal reports that from 2006-2015, there were 775 major fire and explosion incidents involving illegal fireworks reported to the Massachusetts Fire Incident Reporting System. These incidents caused 11 civilian injuries, four fire service injuries and an estimated dollar loss of $1.8 million.

This doesn’t mean citizens cannot enjoy fireworks displays this holiday weekend and in the future. However, Chief Sawtelle and the Hull Police Department recommend that residents only attend celebrations put on by a licensed professional to ensure safety for all.

Residents should also remember to:

Watch fireworks displays from a safe distance.
Call 911 if anyone gets injured by fireworks.
Set a positive example for children by not using illegal fireworks. If kids see adults using them, they may not realize the dangers and could be encouraged to pick up matches or lighters.
Be careful around even the smallest fireworks. Sparklers burn at 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit and could easily cause severe burns and injuries.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that fireworks can cause death and injury, including burns, loss of limbs or extremities, contusions, lacerations and eye injuries.

Fifty-one percent of fireworks-related burn injuries reported by hospitals to the Office of the State Fire Marshal from 2006-2015 were to children under age 18. More than a quarter of the victims were children under age 10.

As a reminder, bonfires are also not permitted in Hull.

“Fire officials across the state urge everyone to leave the fireworks to the professionals and enjoy the many public displays supervised by local fire departments,” State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey said. “Be sure to set a good example for your children. They will imitate what you do and there are better places to the spend the holiday than the emergency room.”

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