Celebrating Fourth of July Safely

The Springfield Fire Department is urging residents to leave fireworks in the hands of professionals this holiday season.

An average, more than 9,000 injuries and several deaths are reported each year in the United States due to the use of fireworks, according to the department.

Because more than two-thirds of these injuries take place from mid-June through mid-July, the department is reminding residents that all consumer fireworks are potentially dangerous and therefore illegal in the State of New Jersey.

Illegal fireworks include the following, according to the department's Facebook page: sparklers, firecrackers, roman candles, bottle rockets, and novelty items, such as snakes, glow worms, fountains, ground spinners, smoke grenades, and trick noise makers such as snaps and champagne poppers. Only paper or plastic caps for toy cap guns are permitted in the Garden State.

An estimated 31,100 fires caused by fireworks each year – resulting in $34 million in property loss, the department stated. These fires are much more likely to be set as a result of illegal fireworks use rather than by properly permitted displays held by professionals.

The Springfield Fire Department offered the following statistics to illustrate the inherent dangers of fireworks: 

Did you know that the tip of a sparkler burns at a temperature of more than 1,200 degrees – hot enough to cause third degree burns?

- 46% of fireworks injuries were to the extremities and 36% were to the head.
- 56% were burns, while 21% were contusions and lacerations.
- 40% of people injured by fireworks were under the age of 15. Another 10% were 20 or younger.
- 62% of injuries were to males; 38% were to females.
- Devices such as sparklers, fountains, roman candles, and novelties accounted for 40% of injuries; firecrackers caused 18% of injuries.
- An estimated 5-10% of firework related injuries treated in emergency departments required hospitalization.
- Hospital staff estimate that only a small number of emergency department treated injuries are caused by public fireworks displays.
- Every year about 400 Americans lose sight in one or both eyes due to fireworks.
- Fireworks can be associated with blindness, third degree burns and permanent scarring.
- Fireworks can cause life-threatening residential and motor vehicle fires.