Fireworks Safety Tips for the Fourth of July

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So you're going to see at least one fireworks display this Fourth of July in the Hudson Valley, but you also want to have a little crackle and pop at home?

While most fireworks remain illegal in New York State, a recent law has authorized counties and cities outside of New York City to legalize the sparklers and certain sparkling devices for those who are over 18 years
of age.

Dutchess, Orange, Putnam and Rockland counties are among those that have legalized sparklers.

Still, the Firefighters Association of the State New York warns that the possibilities of injury and fire are very real and recommends that New Yorkers take in one of the hundreds of public firework displays instead.

SEE: Hudson Valley 2016 Guide to Fireworks

“Even though in some places certain types of fireworks are legal, we are urging New Yorkers to be smart and leave the fireworks to the professionals,” said FASNY President Robert McConville in 2015. “Don’t let an injury or fire ruin your Fourth of July Holiday. Instead, take in one of the hundreds of public fireworks displays available throughout the State.”

It is a crime to provide a sparkler to a person less than 18 years of age, even in the jurisdictions where sparkling devices have been legalized.

A report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission says 60 percent of all fireworks injuries occur around the Fourth of July holiday.

According to the report, more than 5,000 United States consumers were treated in hospital emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries between June 22 and July 22 of last year. More than half of the reported injures involved burns to the hand, head and face, and roughly 1,000 of the injuries involved sparklers and bottle rockets, according to a news release.

Many of the fireworks-related injuries reported and treated each year are caused by misuse of or malfunctioning fireworks, according to state and national reports.

Take, for example, a fireworks-related accident on July 4, 2013 in Massachusetts that reportedly left a 52-year-old man with burns to his groin and abdomen, and trauma to his right hand. How'd it happen? He was holding a "torpedo" firework between his legs when it exploded, according to the Massachusetts Burn Injury Reporting System.

“These figures represent more than numbers; they represent the lives of real people who have been affected well beyond the Fourth of July,” CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum said in the commission's news release. “The federal government is working hard to keep the public safe by monitoring the ports, the marketplace, and the transportation of fireworks. Now, we need consumers to do their part and celebrate safely.”

The CPSC provides the following advice for people who purchase and use legal fireworks:

• Make sure the fireworks you want to buy are legal in your area before buying or using them.
• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks, including sparklers. Parents may not realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees ─ hot enough to melt some metals.
• Always have an adult closely supervise fireworks activities if older children are allowed to handle devices.
• Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and could pose a danger to consumers.
• Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
• Never try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Soak them with water and throw them away.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
• After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding the device to prevent a trash fire.
• ATF encourages the public to report the manufacture or sale of illegal fireworks to your local law enforcement agencies or to the ATF hotline at 1-888-ATF-BOMB (1-888-283-2662).