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The Fourth of July weekend is a great time to spend with family and friends. Of course for many that includes fireworks such as sparklers, pop bottle rockets, and display fireworks. There are safety precautions and laws that are in place to keep civilians safe. Chief Jim Bodine joined Home Page correspondent Johanna Vogt to update us on regulations in the state of Pennsylvania and the borough of Wellsboro.

Some of these laws and ordinances concerning fireworks are as follows:
⁃Pennsylvanians are now able to purchase Consumer Grade fireworks (pop bottle rockets, roman candles, etc.) at the age of 18.
⁃Civilians cannot purchase display fireworks without specific permits issued by the State of Pennsylvania.
⁃Civilians cannot discharge fireworks in the State of Pennsylvania within 150 feet of any occupied structure.
⁃Civilians cannot discharge fireworks in the borough of Wellsboro within 100 feet of any occupied structure, borough street, or property line unless you have expressed permission from the borough and fellow neighbors.
⁃Civilians cannot be under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, or any other drug while discharging fireworks.

Chief Bodine also expressed some basic safety precautions regarding Consumer Grade fireworks:
⁃Civilians should know their surroundings while discharging any aerial fireworks, especially the direction in which they are being sent.
⁃Civilians should be watchful of younger children using sparkles and other types of Consumer Grade fireworks.

For more information on the laws and ordinances for the use of fireworks in the State of Pennsylvania, visit www.psp.pa.gov. For the ordinances in the borough of Wellsboro, visit https://www.ecode360.com/32631242.

The Home Page Network staff sincerely hopes that everyone has a safe and blessed Fourth of July. Happy Independence Day!