 "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 America's birthday 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."
Every year
following the Fourth of July, the Office of the State Fire Marshal
surveys Illinois hospitals for information on fireworks-related
injuries. Overall, injuries have declined each year since a state
law regulating fireworks went into effect in 2006. Seventy-three of
the state's 198 hospitals responded to the survey last year, with
103 injuries reported. Sixty-eight hospitals responded in 2007 and
reported 125 people were treated for injuries. In 2006, 86
hospitals responded, reporting 155 injuries. More than 160 people
were treated in 2005.
According to the latest statistics available from the National
Fire Protection Association, 9,800 fireworks-related injuries were
treated in hospital emergency rooms across the country in 2007.
Under the Fireworks Use Act and the Pyrotechnic Distributor and
Operator Licensing Act, anyone who plans to set off consumer or
professional-grade fireworks must meet safety standards that will
protect the fireworks shooters and spectators, as well as homes and
other property. The state's fireworks law also regulates
individuals, businesses or units of local government that put on an
outdoor pyrotechnic display using display fireworks.
In order to shoot consumer fireworks in communities where
allowed, an adult must attend training at their local fire
department and pass a safety and knowledge test, apply for a site
inspection by the fire department, and apply for a permit issued by
their local government. Once a permit has been issued, the consumer
may purchase only approved consumer fireworks from a registered
consumer fireworks distributor or retailer.
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 Even though novelty fireworks, such as snakes, sparklers and
party-poppers, are not regulated by the state, Foreman wants parents
to know that these can be as dangerous as fireworks that are
regulated. While often considered a harmless item that small
children can enjoy, sparklers burn at high temperatures 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 explained. "Most individuals do not realize that while
matches burn at 325 degrees Fahrenheit and cakes bake at 350 degrees
Fahrenheit, the sparklers children play with burn at 1,200 degrees
Fahrenheit. 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 them."
In addition to personal injuries, fireworks can cause structure
and vehicle fires. According to NFPA, in a typical year more fires
are reported in the United States on July 4 than any other day of
the year, and fireworks account for half of those fires. In 2007,
fireworks caused nearly 100 fires in Illinois, causing injury to
five firefighters and more than $1 million in property loss.
For more information about the state's fireworks regulations,
visit
www.state.il.us/osfm.
[Text from
Office of the State Fire
Marshal file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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