Personal fireworks are a traditional part of Independence Day celebrations in the U.S., but these devices are intrinsically dangerous. Attention to safety rules can increase enjoyment and reduce the risks to people and property.
The first thing to remember, according to State Fire Marshal Jerry Rosendahl, is that Minnesota fireworks law prohibits the sale or use of personal fireworks that fly or explode. "The law is about personal safety," he says. "But it's also about preventable fires, property destruction, risks to firefighters and expenses incurred by the cities that support the fire departments."
Statistics from the National Fire Protection Association indicate that fireworks caused about
15,500 U.S. fires and eight civilian deaths in 2010, along with $36 million in property damage. On a typical July 4, more fires are reported than on any other day of the year, and fireworks account for about half of them. In Minnesota from 2001 through 2010, fireworks use in June and July led to 752 fires that caused more than $2.3 million in property damage.
Even the Minnesota-legal sparklers, fountains, spinning wheels, snakes and strobes are not without risks, according to Rosendahl. "Children are the primary victims of fireworks burns and injuries, but caution and supervision can prevent most problems. Parents need to teach their kids that these devices are not toys."
The best way to celebrate Independence Day is to attend a professional fireworks display, Rosendahl says, but if you choose to use personal fireworks, you should follow these safety guidelines:
* Read and follow the instructions on each device. Make sure children using fireworks are supervised by sober, attentive adults.
* Choose a safe place to use legal fireworks, far from combustible materials or surfaces (furniture, siding, outdoor carpet, decking, etc.) that could be damaged or catch fire.
* Store fireworks in a cool, dry place. If fireworks get wet, don't attempt to dry them out and use them. Federal law prohibits taking them apart, experimenting with them, making your own or altering them before use.
* Never try to relight a "dud." The injury rate on re-lighting fireworks that don't ignite is too high. Just soak the piece in water and use a different one.
* Keep fireworks away from small children, and never allow older kids to point or throw them at people, animals, vehicles or anything else that could be damaged.
* Keep a bucket of water handy to cool fireworks materials before disposing of them.
* Never ignite fireworks inside a can, jar or other container.
"Consider this," Rosendahl says. "We bake a cake at 350 degrees and won't let our children near the oven. But a sparkler burning at 1200 degrees - we hand that to a barefoot child and tell her to write her name in the sky. Let's take some precautions instead, and keep our kids and property safe this year."