Officials warn of fireworks laws

In the final countdown to the Fourth of July this weekend, some residents may already be hearing the snap, crackle and pop of neighbors testing out their pyrotechnic stashes.

Tracey Harris, of Annapolis, was already loading up on $40 worth of pop-its and sparklers Tuesday at a stand in the Westfield Annapolis mall parking lot. She, like many others, said she wouldn't let an Independence Day go by without picking up some little goodies at the stand for her family's celebration.

While the cacophony grows louder this week, local police and fire marshals are watching for any fireworks that are illegal.

Officials...