BALTIMORE, MD—The Office of the State Fire Marshal is warning Maryland residents of a fictitious online poster circulating on various social media accounts, referencing Independence Day celebrations and social distancing.

The poster claims that Governor Larry Hogan has issued a directive on a specific way to handle sparklers and limited the amount of time residents are allowed to celebrate outdoors.

This is simply fake and was produced without the authority of the Governor’s Office or the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Due to complications of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for social distancing, many applicants have elected to not hold most outdoor displays, however, citizens are permitted to use legal fireworks in approved areas.

Fireworks are prohibited in Baltimore City, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Harford, and Howard Counties as well as in Ocean City.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal is the lead agency on the regulation of explosives and fireworks in Maryland, and its duties include the issuance and renewal of licenses of firework shooters, explosive blasters, explosive manufacturing, and explosive sales throughout Maryland.

The agency is also responsible for issuing a Permit for Fireworks Display once the applicant has met specific criteria. The Office of the State Fire Marshal will process any application which it receives and will grant approval upon meeting guidelines. Check the Maryland State Fire Marshal website at www.firemarshal.mdsp.org for listed public fireworks displays throughout the state.

”Fireworks have been a long tradition of the 4th of July holiday celebrations. Please make safety your number one priority so everyone can enjoy the holiday season.” adds State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci. “By acting responsibly, we can help eliminate fireworks injuries in Maryland.”

The fake poster can be viewed below…