YORK COUNTY — The holiday that is perhaps most associated with fireworks — Independence Day, July 4 — is fast approaching. While many communities hold fireworks displays produced by a professional, a 2012 change in Maine law allows residents in some communities to hold their own.

In advance of July 4, some communities have put out the word outlining what is allowed in their municipality.

“During this time of year we receive countless complaints of fireworks throughout the city and the village (of Springvale),” Sanford Police posted on their social media page. The department pointed out that in Sanford, the use of consumer fireworks is not allowed — the city adopted its own ordinance in 2012.

“You risk hefty fines as well as setting fires to your neighborhood, house, and property,” police said.

In Biddeford, both the sale and use of fireworks is banned by city ordinance — and just as Sanford has people who ignore the local ordinance — so does Biddeford.

Biddeford Deputy Police Chief JoAnne Fisk cautioned that the use of consumer fireworks can pose a fire hazard, particularly in densely populated areas, “especially with extreme dry weather,” she said.

According to a March report by the Office of the Maine Fire Marshal, six fireworks-related injuries statewide were reported in 2017, with five of the injured being taken to a hospital by emergency personnel for treatment. However, may people may have been injured than were counted. Michelle Mason Webber, the senior planning and research analyst at the fire marshal’s office, wrote that people who drive themselves for treatment or don’t seek treatment aren’t able to be counted through the EMS reporting system, so the reported number of injuries reported isn’t considered accurate. The five injured who were taken to hospital by EMS personnel ranged in age from 3 years old to 70 years old.

Municipal fire departments reported seven fires due to fireworks in 2017, but that figure is considered interim until a final report is produced this fall, Webber wrote. In all, $127,500 in property and content loss was associated with the seven fires.

According to the report, 107 Maine communities had adopted municipal ordinances that restrict the use or sale of consumer fireworks by the end of 2017 — an increase of six from the previous year.

In York County, many of the larger communities have banned both the sale and use of consumer fireworks. Some of the smaller municipalities have chosen to follow  state law — which means that consumer fireworks displays are allowed, under specific circumstances.

Councils or select boards in Biddeford, Old Orchard Beach, Saco, Kennebunkport and Wells have adopted ordinances banning both the sale and use of consumer fireworks.

Sanford allows sale of fireworks under the terms of the ordinance.

Fines for ordinance violations vary by community. Some fine violators $100 for the first offense; others charge $200 or $250 and some as much as $500 for a first offense.

Kennebunk requires permits for  using fireworks on July 4 and Dec. 31 and allows two additional permits, per household. Renters must have written permission from their landlord to receive a permit.

Smaller communities like Alfred, Shapleigh and Waterboro follow state law. That means people may discharge fireworks on their own property or on someone else’s property, with their consent, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on any day, but expands the timeframe from 9 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. on July 4, Dec. 31, and the weekends immediately before and after July 4 and Dec 31. Fines start at $50 and go up to $500 for violations.

The use or possession by people under 21 is prohibited by state law.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].