Each year during the Fourth of July holiday thousands of people, mostly children, are seriously injured in fireworks-related incidents. Most of these preventable injuries and the more than $20 million a year in fireworks-related property damage are caused by the mishandling or misuse of fireworks by amateurs. The most serious of these injuries are permanent, resulting in the loss of an eye, a finger, or a life. That is why the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is encouraging fireworks enthusiasts to skip amateur displays for safer, more dramatic public fireworks shows put on by pyrotechnic professionals.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the National Association of State Fire Marshals, approximately 7,000 fireworks-related injuries occur each year in the U.S., while nearly 2,000 of these are eye injuries resulting in permanent eye damage or the removal of the eye.
Though many may suffer the loss of sight, others may also experience permanent hearing loss, suffer from second and third degree burns, or even amputation. These very serious injuries are excruciatingly painful and will scar for life.
"Fireworks are not toys for children or adults to play with," says State Fire Marshal Ernest E. Russell. "The burns from fireworks can be intense, and they can scar for life. Fireworks can cause injuries other than burns by exploding and maiming the hands, body or eyes."
In 2002, at least 195 people were injured in Illinois according to the results of a hospital survey conducted by the Office of the State Fire Marshal for a four-week period, which included the Fourth of July holiday. Injuries affecting the eyes, fingers and hands were the most common. Bottle rockets (17%), Firecrackers and M-80/M-60/M-100s (16%), and sparklers (15%) are responsible for most of the injuries (48 percent), according to the survey. The category unknown (19%) on the list because the victims were injured by fireworks that were lit or thrown by other people.
Fireworks are illegal without a permit in Illinois. OSFM urges everyone to attend professional pyrotechnic displays where the whole family can enjoy fireworks at a safe distance.
"Fireworks pose threats year round, but with the Fourth of July holiday approaching, the likelihood of fires, injuries and even deaths related to fireworks misuse is even greater," said Russell.
According to the 2002 survey of hospitals within Illinois regarding fireworks, injuries affecting the eyes (19%), fingers (18%), and hands (15%) were the most common accounting for 52 percent of the fireworks-related injuries.
In Illinois, all fireworks are illegal unless a permit is authorized by local jurisdictions for supervised public displays. The term fireworks does not include sparklers, smoke devices, snake and glow worm pellets, trick noisemakers and most forms of toy pistols using plastic or paper caps. Even these seemingly harmless devices can be dangerous; misuse of them by children can create dangerous situations. Sparklers, for example, reach temperatures of up 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit and remain hot enough to cause serious burns even after they are extinguished. Fireworks are also especially dangerous for children because they entice children to play with matches, something they should never do.
"Matches and lighters in the hands of children and careless adults are already dangerous weapons, and then adding an explosive such as fireworks can be lethal," said Russell.
Injuries and burns are only part of the fireworks problem. These devices also cause numerous property-destroying fires every year. The National Fire Incident Reporting System in Illinois reports 577 fires started by fireworks in Illinois throughout 2001. These fires resulted in more than 4 million dollars worth of property damage.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal cautions everyone against using fireworks at home. The agency advocates attending public fireworks displays.
State Fire Marshal Russell says, "Let's make July 4th and the entire year fireworks safe. Observe all fireworks safety rules, and leave fireworks use to the professionals."
FIREWORKS SAFETY FACTS
Fireworks are illegal in Illinois without a permit.
Sparklers, smoke devices, glowworm pellets and other devices are legal, but dangerous to children.
Abide by all laws pertaining to fireworks.
Always read and follow fireworks' directions.
Do not use fireworks near dry grass or near flammable or combustible materials.
Fireworks are not toys. Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
Never attempt to re-light or fix fireworks that have not gone off.
In 200, at least 195 people were injured in Illinois according to the results of a hospital survey.
Many fireworks are designed to burn hot or to explode.
Sparklers, which many people regard as harmless, burn at temperatures of up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit (982 degrees
Celsius).
Keep at a safe distance from fireworks' staging areas.
Matches are tools and not toys. Children should never play with matches and should especially never use them to light
fireworks.
For the best possible fireworks safety, leave these dangerous devices to professionals. Attend licensed public fireworks
displays.
Tips are from the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal and the National Fire Protection Association.
FIREWORKS ISSUES
425 ILCS (Illinois Compiled Statutes) Sections 30 - 35 make it illegal to sell, possess, and use fireworks. Fireworks displays are allowed with locally issued permits.
Fireworks laws are enforced by state and local law enforcement personnel.
Common fireworks are classified as class C explosives; M-80s are more powerful and dangerous and are classified as class B explosives. Dynamite is a class A explosive.
Safety requirements exist for stores selling fireworks: smoking is prohibited; signs stating "Fireworks for Sale" must be displayed; and fireworks cannot be displayed in glass cases where the sun shines through the glass.
Fireworks injuries are avoidable injuries. Follow all safety precautions.
Everyone likes fireworks displays. For safety's sake, OSFM encourages all Illinois citizens to attend public fireworks displays. Public fireworks displays are those adhering to all legal requirements.
From Fireworks Regulation Act
30/2 Definitions
(a) The term fireworks shall mean and include any explosive composition or any substance or combination of substances, or article prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect of a temporary exhibitional nature by explosion, combustion, deflagration or detonation, and shall include blank cartridges, toy cannons in which explosives are used, the type of balloons which require fire underneath to propel the same, firecrackers, torpedoes, sky rockets, Roman candles, bombs or other fireworks of like construction, and any fireworks containing any explosives compound; or any tablets or other device containing any explosive substance, or containing combustible substances producing visual effects. The term "fireworks" shall not include snake or glow worm pellets; smoke devices; sparklers; trick noisemakers known as "party poppers," "booby traps," snappers," "trick matches," "cigarette loads" and "auto burglar alarms" toy pistols, toy canes, toy guns or other devices in which paper or plastic caps containing twenty-five hundredths grains or less of explosive compound are used, provided they are so constructed that the hand cannot come in contact with the cap when in place for the explosion; and toy pistol paper or plastic caps which contain less than twenty-five hundredths grains of explosive mixture; the sale and use of which shall be permitted at all times.
Fireworks Definitions
From 425 ILCS (Illinois Compiled Statutes) Section 30/2
Definitions
(a) The term fireworks shall mean and include any explosive composition or any substance or combination of substances, or article prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect of a temporary exhibitional nature by explosion, combustion, deflagration or detonation, and shall include blank cartridges, toy cannons in which explosives are used, the type of balloons which require fire underneath to propel the same, firecrackers, torpedoes, sky rockets, Roman candles, bombs or other fireworks of like construction, and any fireworks containing any explosives compound; or any tablets or other device containing any explosive substance or containing combustible substances producing visual effects. The term "fireworks" shall not include snake or glow worm pellets; smoke devices; sparklers; trick noisemakers known as "party poppers," "booby traps," "snappers," "trick matches," "cigarette loads" and "auto burglar alarms" toy pistols, toy canes, toy guns or other devices in which paper or plastic caps containing twenty-five hundredths grains or less of explosive compound are used, provided they are so constructed that the hand cannot come in contact with the cap when in place for the explosion; and toy pistol paper or plastic caps which contain less than twenty-five hundredths grains of explosive mixture; the sale and use of which shall be permitted at all times.