Dramatic Display Highlights Dangers Of Illegal Fireworks: Watch

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Even in a summer like no other, illegal fireworks can be deadly.

On Thursday, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, as well as Chief of Suffolk County Police Department Stuart Cameron, and Fire Rescue and Emergency Services Commissioner John Jordan gave a vivid demonstration that showed in real life the dangers of illegal fireworks.

The briefing was held at the Suffolk County Fire Academy in Yaphank.

Officials ignited collection of pyrotechnics in a camper. And despite the fact that many professional fireworks displays have been canceled due to the coronavirus, Bellone urged residents not to take illegal fireworks into their own hands.

Suffolk County Police will also be out on the July 4 weekend cracking down with enhanced BWI and DWI enforcement.

Bellone began with the numbers: As of Friday, the news continued to be positive, he said, with 64 new positive cases of coronavirus reported, for a total of 41, 491. There have been 19,447 positive antibody tests, Bellone said.

Hospitalizations decreased by two, for a total of 71 countywide; the number of patients in ICU increased by two to 27, he said. Hospital capacity stands at 3,047 beds, with 920 available, or 70 percent capacity, while there are 473 ICU beds in Suffolk and 181 available, or 62 percent capacity.

As of press time, Bellone said he did not have the number of fatalities, if any, over the past 24 hours.

Speaking of the county's battle with coronavirus, Bellone said together, residents, first responders, and health care workers have accomplished an "amazing feat. We have followed the guidance and crushed the curve."

That collective effort was "heroic," he said. But the coming July 4 weekend will be critical, Bellone added.

"We know it's summer. Kids are home, the sun is out, beaches and day camps are open, we have entered into Phase 3 activities and will be in Phase 4 in less than a week," he said."We know people want to get out of the house and are looking for things to celebrate."

July 4, he added, is a great reason to do just that. "But we must do it safely and we have to be smart," Bellone said. "This is not a normal year."

Those who partake in adult beverages, he said, may find that their guard is let down — at the very time that it is critical to continue to follow social distancing protocols and wear face coverings, he said.

"We want everyone to enjoy our beaches and our parks but we need to stay on track," Bellone said. "That's very important this weekend. We'll be watching very closely to see if the progress we made will continue."

'Signifiant increase' countywide in illegal fireworks

With the majority of organized fireworks shows canceled due to coronavirus, Bellone said there has been a significant increase in the use of illegal fireworks.

"Fireworks are something we all look forward to seeing but it's critically important that we recognize the potentially disastrous consequences of non-professionals utilizing illegal fireworks," he said.

Every year, Bellone said, an average of 230 people per year go to the emergency room for fireworks-related injuries on July 4, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

In addition, he said, in 2017, fireworks accounted for an estimated 1,200 emergency room visits for injuries related to sparklers. "The statistics are alarming and they're preventable," Bellone said. "Children should not be allowed to use or ignite fireworks or sparklers."

Suffolk County, he reminded, upholds a statewide ban on sparklers. "While seemingly fun, these devices burn in excess of 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit and pose a significant safety risk , especially to youth. We ask parents to be smart. Leave fireworks to the professionals."

Cameron said Suffolk County police will be out, with "zero tolerance" for illegal fireworks. He added that fireworks can cause significant injuries to hands, eyes and face — and 40 percent of those injured by sparklers are children, many of whom sustain second degree burns, he said.

Bottle rockets and sparklers, which are seen as "less severe fireworks," are given to children, "because people think they're not dangerous. But they cause the most injuries," Cameron said.

Those found in violation with illegal fireworks can face legal repercussions ranging from violations to felonies, Cameron said.

He also warned against alcohol use while operating vehicles or vessels and reminded all onboard boats to have the appropriate number of personal flotation devices.