National Fire Protection Association Urges Safety This July 4

By WENDY ANN MITCHELL (Patch Staff)

Each year around the Fourth of July, thousands are injured while using unsafe fireworks, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

The NFPA oversees the Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks, a group of safety organizations, who urges the public to avoid using fireworks due to risk or injury such as burns, blindness and even death. They encourage consumers to watch displays of fireworks conducted by trained professionals.

It’s important information for New Yorkers, because the state for the first time in 100 years has opened up the option to allow some sale and use of small fireworks.

While most fireworks remain illegal, now counties and cities outside of New York City may legalize the sparklers and certain sparkling devices for those who are over 18 years of age.

Putnam County voted to do so. Rockland and Westchester counties have not.

NB: It is a crime to provide a sparkler to a person younger than 18, even in the jurisdictions where sparkling devices have been legalized, according to the state police.

For additional information about this law, including information on sales, please visit the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control web page.

Here are some statistics from the NFPA:

• In 2011, fireworks caused an estimated 17,800 reported fires, including 1,200 total structure fires, 400 vehicle fires, and 16,300 outside and other fires. These fires resulted in an estimated eight reported civilian deaths, 40 civilian injuries and $32 million in direct property damage.
• In 2013, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 11,400 people for fireworks related injuries; 55% of 2014 emergency room fireworks-related injuries were to the extremities and 38% were to the head.
• The risk of fireworks injury was highest for young people ages 0-4, followed by children 10-14.
• On Independence Day in a typical year, far more U.S. fires are reported than on any other day, and fireworks account for two out of five of those fires, more than any other cause of fires.

Click here for a list of safe fireworks displays in your area.

Photo: Amanda Bowman, Flickr Creative Commons