The Alexandria Fire Department wants to keep you, your family, and your pets safe during your Independence Day celebrations. The Alexandria Fire Department is reminding those who visit, live, and work in the City of Alexandria that it is illegal to possess, sell, store, or use any fireworks within the city limits by ordinance – including sparklers, novelty items, or any fireworks that can be otherwise legally purchased in neighboring jurisdictions.

Each year, fireworks are the cause of numerous injuries, deaths, and property loss.  According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission report from 2023, there were 8 civilian deaths and approximately 9,700 injuries treated in emergency rooms that were related to fireworks. The report shows that between 2008 and 2023, injuries from fireworks have increased overall, despite data showing a steady decline since the peak in 2020 during the pandemic, when public displays were canceled.  The report also provides the following facts related to fireworks incidents:

• Teenagers ages 15 to 19 years had the highest estimated rate of emergency department-treated, fireworks-related injuries, with children ages 5-9 years old having the second highest rate.
• Approximately 700 emergency department-treated injuries were associated with the use of sparklers.
• Approximately 42 percent of the emergency department-treated fireworks-related injuries were for burns.
• The parts of the body most often injured by fireworks were hands and fingers (an estimated 35 percent of injuries), along with head, face, and ears (an estimated 22 percent).
• In fiscal year 2023, approximately 18% of selected and tested fireworks products were found to contain noncompliant components, including fuse violations, the presence of prohibited chemicals, and pyrotechnic materials overload.

With the celebrations for Independence Day approaching, the Alexandria Fire Department wants to encourage the community to celebrate safely.  The Fire Marshal’s Office enforces the City code and ban on all fireworks within the city limits to ensure the safety of the community and to protect people, businesses, and property.  While fireworks may be legally purchased in surrounding areas such as Fairfax and Arlington Counties, they may not be possessed, sold, or used within the city limits.  All illegal fireworks within the city are subject to confiscation and possible criminal violations.  Violations are Class 1 misdemeanors and, upon conviction, may be punishable by a $2,500 fine, up to one year in jail, or both.

Alexandria residents can enjoy the beauty of fireworks at City-sponsored events, such as the City Birthday celebration scheduled for Saturday, July 12, or First Night Alexandria. Additionally, there are many local displays in surrounding localities throughout the Independence Day holiday weekend. For information on City events, call 703.746.5592 or 703.746.5418.

Fireworks violations may be reported 24 hours a day by calling 703.746.4444. For immediate police, fire, or emergency medical assistance, call 911.

For media inquiries only, contact Senior Public Information Officer Taylor King at taylor.king@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.5190.