Illinois Residents Warned Not to Ship This Through U.S. Mail

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is issuing a strong reminder as Illinois residents prepare for a holiday weekend.

READ MORE: Rockford Residents Urged to Remove Garbage Can From Street

According to a press release from the USPS, there are some dangerous items that have been banned from both air and ground transport due to the serious safety risks they pose.

Fireworks Pose Major Safety Risk in the Mail System

With July 4 festivities coming next weekend, the USPS is putting out the message about pyrotechnics and fireworks being prohibited in the mail, including sparklers, firecrackers, bottle rockers, Roman candles, and similar items.

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These flammable items are classified as hazardous materials, according to the press release.

Postal Service: Violators Could Face Penalties

According to the Acting Postmaster General and CEO Doug Tulino, even small fireworks like bottle rockets or firecrackers are able to trigger fires, explosions, or injuries if mishandled during transport.

Shipping fireworks through the mail puts our employees, customers and transportation networks at serious risk. -Acting Postmaster General and CEO Doug Tulino

To detect illegal shipments, USPS uses a combination of technology and physical inspection procedures.

Anyone who is caught attempting to send fireworks through the U.S. mail could face civil penalties, criminal charges, and the confiscation of their package.

Thousands of Investigations Each Year

Over 1,700 investigations were opened in 2024 by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service involving hazardous materials sent through the mail, many of which involved fireworks and other explosives.

To avoid dangerous situations and legal trouble, Illinois residents are urged to check the list of prohibited items before mailing packages. CLICK HERE