Prince George's County residents can avoid penalties for possessing fireworks through the Prince George's County Fire Department's fireworks amnesty program. This is the ninth year that the county fire department has run the program, which allows residents to turn in their fireworks without fear of being arrested or fined.
To turn in fireworks, call the county's Fire/Emergency Medical Services Department Operations Center at 301-583-2200. A department member will come to your home or business and remove the fireworks.
The fireworks amnesty began June 20 and remains in effect until July 20. Residents can also call the same number to report illegal use of fireworks in Prince George's County.
"Plain and simple — all consumer fireworks from the smallest to the largest are illegal," officials declared in a news release.
According to the statement officials released, that means possessing, storing or offering to sell fireworks are illegal in the county, as well as actually exploding the fireworks.
The exception, of course, is authorized displays conducted by a licensed pyrotechnic professional.
Officials warned that penalties include a fine of up to $1,000 and/or six months in jail.
The county banned the sale, use and possession of fireworks because of the "danger to our citizens caused by the misuse of these products," the statement read. The worst offenders are "consumer fireworks," those that the U.S. Department of Transportation classifies as 1.4g explosives. County fire officials said misuse of these fireworks is the biggest cause of fireworks-related injuries and deaths.