"For many people, fireworks are as much a part of the Fourth of July
as a turkey is to Thanksgiving," Foreman said. "However, fireworks
can be very dangerous in untrained hands, and each year many
children and adults are injured, some quite severely. The best way
to enjoy fireworks on the Fourth of July is to watch one of the many
professional displays that will be held in communities throughout
the state. Professional fireworks shooters are trained to handle the
inherent dangers in fireworks and can ensure that you and your
family have a safe, happy holiday."Blagojevich's Keep Cool
Illinois campaign is a statewide effort to help Illinoisans stay
cool, healthy and safe during the summer months. Keep Cool Illinois
seeks to inform Illinois residents on how to prevent heat-related
problems, reduce their utility bills and participate in summer
activities safely.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2007/Jun/19/images/ads/current/heartland%20growing%20with%20the%20community%20051007.png)
Every year following the Fourth of July, the Office of the State
Fire Marshal surveys Illinois hospitals for information on
fireworks-related injuries. Eighty-six of the state's 198 hospitals
responded to last year's survey and reported 155 people treated for
injuries between June 23 and July 20, 2006. Nearly 60 percent of the
injuries reported were first-, second- or third-degree burns. Eight
hearing loss injuries, four loss-of-sight injuries and one
dismemberment related to fireworks also were reported, along with
several lacerations, abrasions and other injuries. No fatalities
related to fireworks were reported to the state office for 2006.
Overall, injury reports were down slightly from 2005. Foreman
said he was particularly pleased that injuries related to sparklers
decreased from 30 reported in 2005 to 19 reported in 2006. While
often considered a harmless item that small children can enjoy,
sparklers actually burn at temperatures of up to 1,200 degrees
Fahrenheit (982 degrees Celsius) and remain extremely hot long after
the sparks have stopped.
"Most sparkler injuries are to young children, who don't
understand the extreme danger of this so-called novelty item,"
Foreman said. "I can't emphasize enough how dangerous sparklers can
be if children touch the extremely hot wire or let the sparkler get
too close to their clothing and it catches on fire. The best advice
I can give to parents is to keep sparklers away from young children
and closely supervise older children when they play with sparklers."
[to top of second column]
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2007/Jun/19/images/ads/current/odonohue's%20bch%20061107.png)
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2007/Jun/19/images/ads/current/state%20bank%20investment%20center%20lda%20022706.png) |
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2007/Jun/19/images/ads/current/graue%20inc%20lda%20vacations%20052007.png) In addition to personal injuries, fireworks can cause structure
and vehicle fires. According to the National Fire Protection
Association, in a typical year, more fires in the United States are
reported on the Fourth of July than any other day of the year, and
fireworks account for half of those fires. The association says that
in 2004, fireworks caused an estimated 1,500 total structure fires
and 600 vehicle fires reported to fire departments nationwide. Those
fires resulted in an estimated 20 injuries and $21 million in direct
property damage.
The state fire marshal also reminds people that new fireworks
regulations that went into effect last year require anyone who plans
to set off consumer or professional-grade fireworks to meet safety
standards that will protect the fireworks shooters and spectators,
as well as homes and other property.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2007/Jun/19/images/ads/current/hearing%20aid%20center%20bch%20041807.png) Under those regulations,
fireworks displays in Illinois are divided into two categories:
consumer fireworks, which include such items as fountains, repeaters
and parachutes; and pyrotechnic displays, which use
professional-grade fireworks such as mortars, cake bundles and
ground displays that depict a picture. Pyrotechnic displays and
consumer displays are permitted only in villages, counties and
municipalities that have passed ordinances allowing such displays.
In addition to firecrackers of any size and bottle rockets, other
well-known fireworks such as Roman candles are not allowed under the
new regulations.
Novelty fireworks, such as snakes, sparklers, and party-poppers,
are not regulated by the state, although municipalities have the
authority to enact an ordinance prohibiting the sale and use of
sparklers on public property.
In order to shoot consumer fireworks in communities where
allowed, an adult must attend training at a local fire department,
pass a safety and knowledge test, apply for a site inspection by the
fire department, and apply for a permit issued by the local
government. Once a permit has been issued, the consumer may purchase
only approved consumer fireworks from a registered consumer
fireworks distributor or retailer.
The state's fireworks law also regulates individuals, businesses
or units of local government that put on outdoor pyrotechnic
displays using display fireworks.
For more information about the new fireworks regulations, visit
www.state.il.us/osfm. For additional information about the Keep Cool
Illinois campaign, visit www.keepcool.illinois.gov.
[Text from
Office of the State Fire
Marshal news release received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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