Fireworks Safety from the North Shore Fire Department

Posted: July 1, 2009

The North Shore Fire Department does not endorse the use of consumer fireworks and instead encourages the public to enjoy displays of fireworks conducted by trained professionals.

 

Fireworks and sparklers are designed to explode or throw off showers of hot sparks. Temperatures may exceed 1200 degrees F.

 

According to the United States Fire Administration 2005 report, firecrackers were responsible for the greatest number of injuries (1,600) in 2003, followed by bottle rockets (1,000) and sparklers (7,000.)

 

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reported that 92% of the fireworks injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms involved fire works that Federal regulations permit consumers to use.

 

Fireworks injuries include burns, contusions, lacerations, disfigurement and even death.

 

The risk of fire death relative to time used shows fireworks as the riskiest consumer product. NFPA 2009

 

In addition to injuries caused by fireworks, on Independence Day in a typical year, more U.S. fires are reported than on any other day, and fireworks account for half of those fires, more than any other cause of fires. NFPA

 

Children need to be taught that fireworks (sparklers, smoke bombs, fire crackers, bottle rockets, etc.), like matches and lighters, are dangerous and should not be handled.

 

For more information on fireworks safety:

 

· Visit our website at www.nsfire.org

· Visit NFPA’s website at www.nfpa.org/fireworks

· Contact our Public Education Office at 414-228-0292 or jglanz@nsfire.org.

 

Once again, please have a safe and happy Fourth of July by leaving the fireworks to the licensed, trained professionals!