Fireworks are Fun, but Dangerous

Fireworks are synonymous with the Fourth of July. When I was a kid, we went to only a handful of public fireworks displays. The Fourth of July was always a day for a family picnic that ended with a bang — a fireworks display that might not have been quite the elaborate spectacle lighting up the sky over the Lehigh River.

There was something about the anticipation leading up to the burst of light in the otherwise dark night. Just a hint of danger in lighting your own fireworks added another layer of excitement. Light the fuse, run away and, then wait to see what will happen.

Sometimes, there was a dud, and other times light shot from the source in a brilliant and dazzling display of ephemeral glitter twinkling until it finally diminished into ash, leaving only that distinct smell of burnt gun powder lingering in a cloud of smoke.

Well, maybe that is a romanticized memory.  More times than not, I can remember a Roman Candle spewing colored lights, writing my name in sparklers or the big band of the M-80’s going off in the back yard. 

One year my brother decided to blow a hole in the back yard by continually throwing M-80’s in one spot. I swear it was about a foot deep, and then, he lit what seemed like a dud. 

We waited and waited.  My dad told him to go over and see what the problem was.  He stuck his face near the hole and ... then someone yelled, “Boom!”  I never saw someone jump so high, but that’s all that happened; we all had a laugh as he filled in the hole with dirt.

After the laughing stopped, that was when I realized, maybe there was more than just a hint of danger involved in these things. What if that wasn’t a dud? 

In 2010, about 8,600 people were treated in hospitals for injuries associated with fireworks according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

More than 40% of fireworks-related accidents involve children under the age of 15. The most common injuries are burns to the eyes, hand or arm, but occasionally, they are more severe lacerations, bruises or, even blindness. One third of these injuries are sustained from the use of illegal fireworks at home. 

Examples of consumer fireworks are the ever popular Roman candles, rockets, sparklers and novelty items, such as snakes, airplanes, ground spinners, helicopters, fountains, and party poppers.

Although consumer fireworks that comply with the CPSC regulations are relatively safe, they can cause serious injuries. Even sparklers that parents allow their young children to play with are dangerous. The same parents might not allow their child to go near an open flame or light a candle but, they will allow them to hold a crackling stick, the sparks of which can reach 1800 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Federal Hazardous Substances Act bans the use of large reloadable mortar shells, cherry bombs, aerial bombs, M-80’s, silver salutes and large firecrackers.

While the federal government prohibits the sale and use of the most dangerous fireworks, many people find ways to improvise the manufacture of fireworks, the results of which are never good.

The CPSC offered examples of recent injuries and most are due to a lack of common sense:

A 49 year old man in Nebraska was fatally injured when he tried to make fireworks in his garage: a 26 year old man duct taped together a bunch of sparklers; his injuries necessitated surgery; an 11-year-old boy lit a ball shaped firework he found on the beach and it exploded in his hand resulting in the loss of three fingers.

To help consumers use fireworks more safely, the CPSC offers these recommendations:

• Do not allow young children to play with fire-works under any circumstances.
• Older children should be permitted to use fireworks only under close adult supervision. Do not allow any running or horseplay.
• Set off fireworks outdoors in a clear area, away from houses, dry leaves, or grass and other flammable materials.
• Keep a bucket of water nearby for emergencies and for pouring on fireworks that fail to ignite or explode.
• Do not try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Soak them with water and throw them away.
• Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.
• Never light fireworks in a container, especially a glass or metal container.
• Keep unused fireworks away from firing areas.
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
• Check instructions for special storage directions.
• Observe local laws
• Never have any portion of your body directly over a firework while lighting.
• Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.

The National Council on Fireworks Safety, a non-profit organization that has launched its own campaign issuing a statement on fire safety on June 16, creating a video to help consumers choose, plan, conduct and clean up your consumer fireworks. 

When in doubt, your local Fire Department for more information on the legal and responsible use of fireworks.