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IDNR and state fire marshal urge
fireworks safety this Fourth of July
[June 25, 2025]
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois
Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the Office of the
Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) are reminding organizations and
individuals sponsoring fireworks displays to keep safety top of mind
and to be sure their vendors have the required state licenses and
certificates before their fireworks shows.
The Illinois Explosives Act requires that anyone who purchases,
possesses, uses, transfers, stores or disposes of explosives,
including display fireworks, must have an explosives license and
explosives storage certificate issued by the IDNR.
Licensing and storage requirements administered by the IDNR do not
apply to consumer fireworks (classified as 1.4 explosives). Approved
consumer fireworks are regulated by the OSFM and are permitted only
in villages, counties and municipalities that have passed ordinances
allowing such displays. Consumer fireworks may be purchased and
displayed only by adults who have obtained permits from their local
jurisdiction. Handheld fireworks, including firecrackers, roman
candles and bottle rockets, are not approved for sale or use in
Illinois.
The Illinois Explosives Act is
administered by the IDNR Office of Mines and Minerals, Explosives
and Aggregate Division. The division is staffed by trained and
experienced blasting specialists located throughout Illinois.
In addition to requiring comprehensive licensing, training and
examination for individuals, the law requires that unattended
display fireworks and explosives must be stored in an explosives
magazine, storage facility or container that is inspected and
certified by IDNR.
IDNR currently has 2,135 individuals licensed for the use of
explosives in Illinois, of which 694 are specifically for the use of
display fireworks. There are 723 certified explosives storage
magazines in Illinois, which contain nearly 40 million pounds of
explosives. Of those storage magazines, 94 are certified
specifically for the storage of display fireworks.
Anyone possessing, using, transferring or purchasing display
fireworks without a valid IDNR individual explosives license or
storage certificate is violating Illinois law and could incur
penalties. A violation of the Illinois Explosives Act can be a Class
3 felony, with a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a
$10,000 fine. In addition, IDNR can assess administrative fines for
violations involving display fireworks and other explosives.
Fireworks can cause injuries and property damage
According to the National Fire Protection Association, fireworks
started an estimated 31,302 fires in 2022, including 3,5047
structure fires, 887 vehicle fires, and 26,492 outside and other
fires. These fires caused an estimated six civilian deaths, 44
civilian injuries and $109 million in direct property damage. These
fires are not only caused by commercial/consumer fireworks, but also
by unregulated novelty fireworks that are sometimes purchased at
local supermarkets.
In addition to fireworks, novelties
such as sparklers, snappers, and poppers are dangerous. Sparklers
account for the greatest number of fireworks injuries, and often to
the youngest victims. Sparklers burn more than 1,200 degrees – hot
enough to melt many metals and turn steel glowing red. An
instantaneous touch can cause a burn and may result in permanent
damage or scarring.
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“Many people enjoy
celebrating the 4th of July with consumer fireworks to light up
the night sky, but these come with serious risks that are often
underestimated,” said acting Illinois State Fire Marshal Allen
Reyne. “We strongly encourage everyone to attend professional
fireworks displays instead, where safety measures are in place.
Choosing safer alternatives like glow sticks instead of
sparklers can help ensure a fun, festive, and injury-free
Independence Day celebration.”
During the July 2024 seasonal reporting period, 45 hospitals and
facilities reported a total of 156 injuries. There was one
fatality reported during the 2024 reporting period. Health care
facilities reported 98 people were injured by fireworks during
the 2024 seasonal reporting period. About 50% of those injured
suffered multiple injuries.
The reported injuries were related to a wide variety of
fireworks, with “mortars” (36%) listed as the most frequent type
of fireworks or pyrotechnic effect involved in injury. This was
followed by roman candles (12%), bottle rockets (8%) and
sparklers (8%). The type of injuries reported were associated
with various other effects, including salutes (7%), smoke bombs
(6%) and firecrackers (6%).
The sale and use of roman candles, firecrackers and salute
devices are prohibited in Illinois. More than half of all
injuries affected hands (29%), head/face (14%) and legs (13%).
Second-degree burns were the leading type of injury at 23%,
followed by first-degree burns (18%). Lacerations accounted for
17% of the injuries and abrasions at 15%. Loss of sight
increased to 11% from 6% in 2023.
To report an explosives incident or accident concerning display
fireworks, contact the IDNR Office of Mines and Minerals,
Explosives and Aggregate Division at 217-782-9976 and the OSFM
at 217-785-0969.
About IDNR
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is celebrating 100
years of conservation and service to the people of Illinois
throughout 2025. The department was established July 1, 1925, as
the Illinois Department of Conservation, bringing under one
umbrella oversight of fish and game, forestry, public works, and
lakes.
Today, IDNR’s work encompasses management of about 400 sites
across Illinois, including state parks and historic sites;
wildlife, fisheries, forestry, and natural heritage; Lake
Michigan water allocation and coastal management; conservation
police; mines and minerals; oil and gas; issuance of licenses,
permits, and numerous grants; the World Shooting and
Recreational Complex in Sparta; and the Illinois State Museum.
Visit
https://dnr.illinois.gov for more information.
[Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources]
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