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How to Stay Safe When Lighting Fireworks at Home How to Stay Safe When Lighting Fireworks at Home

By Margaret Haggerty

MAGGY HAGGERTY: Sparklers, unlike the fireworks on the wall behind me… are something that could be ignited at home in New York state. I spoke with the executive director of the American Pyrotechnics Association to learn how to still have fun lighting off fireworks at home…while staying safe. Nearly seventy percent of firework related injuries for children occur between mid-June and mid-July says the American Pyrotechnics Association. It’s also now when stores begin to sell them, and pop-up shops appear on the side of the road. These pyrotechnics can be festive and fun, but they can also be dangerous. Executive Director of the APA says that firework sales have been at an all-time high.

JULIE HECKMAN: Consumer sales, never seen anything like it. Industry revenue went from one billion to 2.2 billion.

HAGGERTY: According to the APA millions of people in this country use fireworks like these. However, even though that number keeps increasing, there’s a decrease in the number of firework related injuries. The number of estimated injuries went down by almost 4000 from 2020 to 2021 according to the APA’s report. Heckman says that when she was a kid her parents enforced safety precautions when lighting sparklers.

HECKMAN: I have two siblings, we had to stay on the sidewalk, and we had to be about six feet apart. Each one of us with just one sparkler at a time where we could, you know wave it around. We did it, and we did it safely.

HAGGERTY: The APA has a foundation dedicated to the safety of using fireworks. A few of the safety tips include having water nearby, not leaning over a firework, and after lighting them allow the firework to stand for 20 minutes and submerge it in water for an additional two minutes before properly disposing of it.

HECKMAN: You know we can always do better. We can always do more to educate the public.

HAGGERTY: Heckman also said that 75% of firework industry revenue comes from the Fourth of July. This means we’re headed into the eye of the storm in just a few weeks. Reporting live in studio, I’m Maggy Haggerty.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — As firework sales in the area are gearing up, Central New York is headed into the peak time of firework-related injuries for children.

The American Pyrotechnic Association says that 70% of those injuries happen from mid-June to mid-July.

The executive director of the APA says that there has been an increase in consumer firework purchases, meaning millions of people in America are using at-home fireworks.

“Consumer sales, never seen anything like it,” said Executive Director Julie Heckman. “Industry revenue went from $1 billion to $2.2 billion.”

Here’s a few ways to use those fireworks safely:

  • Keep a bucket of water nearby
  • Always have or provide adult supervision
  • Make sure the ground is leveled and it is an empty area
    • No cars, houses, or groups of people in close range
  • Light only one firework at a time
  • Let the fireworks cool down after using them and then submerge them in water

The American Pyrotechnic Association also offers more tips through their foundation. The APA Foundation provides resources for all ages, students, teachers, and parents.

Despite the increase in sales of fireworks, there has been a decline in firework-related injuries.

“You know we can always do better,” said Heckman. “We can always do more to educate the public.”

Sales for fireworks in New York state have already begun according to the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control. Permanent and specialty retailers can sell from June 1 to July 5 for the summer. Meanwhile, temporary stands and tents can sell from June 20 to July 5.

NYSOFPC listed specific consumer permitted and prohibited fireworks.

Permitted:

  • Cylindrical fountains
  • Cone fountains
  • Wood sparklers/dipped sticks; party poppers, snappers.

Prohibited:

  • Firecrackers and chasers
  • Skyrockets
  • Roman candles
  • Bombs
  • Metal wire sparklers

Misuse of fireworks or use of illegal explosives is the main cause of firework-related injuries, says the APA.

If you see the use of an illegal explosive the APA says to call the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms at 1-888-ATF-BOMB.

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