Fireworks pose safety hazard
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[July 01, 2015]
SPRINGFIELD
– With the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, the Office of the State
Fire Marshal reminds Illinois residents to leave fireworks to the
experts. Many injuries and fires occur each year from these devices
and therefore should be used only by trained professionals. |
Fireworks pose a danger to users and bystanders of all ages. As
the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) explains,
fireworks were responsible for an estimated 11,400 injuries and
eight deaths in 2013. Injuries typically result from the user
playing with lit fireworks or igniting fireworks while holding the
device. Injuries can also be sustained from device malfunctions,
such as errant flight paths, devices that tip over and blowouts.
Those at the greatest risk of injury are young children under the
age of nine. Children often come in contact with devices that are
perceived to be less powerful, such as sparklers and bottle rockets.
However, all fireworks have the potential for causing damage and
injury. Sparklers, for instance, burn at temperatures of above 1,200
degrees – temperatures high enough to melt glass.
Fireworks are also responsible for extensive property damage every
year due to inexperienced handlers and a lack of safety precautions.
They are volatile devices that are hard to predict before, during,
and after use. Illegal and homemade fireworks meet no safety
standards and extreme caution should be taken if these items are
found. [to top of second
column] |
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Under the Illinois Fireworks Act (425ILCS 35/1), it is illegal to possess,
purchase or use consumer fireworks without a consumer display permit obtained
from local authorities. Help prevent accidents for you and your family by
avoiding explosives and leaving fireworks to trained professionals. For more
information about fireworks safety, please visit
http://www.sfm.illinois.gov.
[Office of the State Fire Marshal]
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