Safety first with fireworks

With a boom, a flurry of colored lights fall from the sky. Colorful and exciting, fireworks have long been a symbol of celebration.

This Independence Day, citizens are reminded of state and local ordinances regarding the use of fireworks. The rules in place are to protect the public from unnecessary personal injury and property damage.

Each year, the Office of the State Fire Marshall [OSFM] requests data from Illinois hospital and emergency treatment centers to determine various facts about injuries associated with fireworks.

During seasonal reporting [July] in 2022, 44 hospitals and facilities across the state reported a total of 168 injuries. Comparatively, 60 hospitals reported 202 injuries and one fatality in 2021.

Approximately one-third of all injured persons last year suffered multiple injuries. More than 50% of all injuries affected hands, injuries to the head/face and eyes.

Second degree burns were the leading type of injury at 21% followed by first degree burns at 17%.

Lacerations accounted for 13% of the injuries and abrasions at 13%.

Dismemberment/amputation injuries increased to 20 as compared to seven in 2021.

The injuries reported were related to a wide variety of fireworks.

OSFM data indicates sparklers account for the greatest number of fireworks injuries and often to the youngest victims.

Sparklers burn in excess of 1200 degrees—hot enough to melt many metals and hot enough to turn steel glowing red. An instantaneous touch of this will cause a burn and may result in permanent damage or scarring.

The Fireworks Act prohibits the sale, use or explosion of fireworks. Defined by state statute as “any explosive composition any substance or combination of substance or article prepared for the purpose of producing visible or audible effect.”

Basically, if it has a boom, it’s illegal.

The office of the state fire marshal prohibits all consumer fireworks. Prohibited fireworks include, but are not limited to, bottle and sky rockets, firecrackers of any size or type, roman candles, chasers, buzz bombs, helicopters, planes, missiles, pinwheels, ground items and hand held fireworks, as well as sky lanterns, a type of balloon that requires fire underneath to propel it upwards.

Each year local police departments receive an exorbitant number of firework complaints in the days leading up to and following the holiday. Coal City residents who observe unsafe activities should call the Coal City Police Department’s non-emergency number at 815-634-2341.

When it comes to fireworks, the village code states:

“No person shall discharge or set off any fireworks, or give or exhibit any pyrotechnic displays in the village, except public displays which are licensed my be given at any time permitted by the license.”

“ No public exhibition of fireworks or pyrotechnics shall be given unless a permit therefor is secured from the chief of police. All such public displays shall be under the supervision of a competent person and shall be superintended by the chief of police or some member of the police department assigned to this duty by the chief of police.”

“ No person, firm or cooperation shall discharge or set off in the village or keep in the village with the intention of doing so, any firecracker, toy cannon; canes for exploding potash, sulfur, or other dangerous explosives; so called “Chinese bombs,” or “American bombs,” torpedoes, paper balloons, or sky rockets except for public pyrotechnic display under proper supervision.”

In advance of the holiday, the village of Diamond issued a reminder to its residents about illegal fireworks, noting these items should be limited to what is legal—poppers, worms and sparklers.

Along with injuries associated with fireworks, the National Fire Protection Association reports fireworks started an estimated 12,264 fires in 2001 including 2,082 structure fires, 316 vehicle fires and 9,866 outdoor fires.

These fired caused 20 civilian injuries and $59 million in property damage.

In its message to residents, the village of Diamond asked citizens to be considerate of individuals in the community and pets who might be impacted by the loud booms caused by fireworks.

The non-profit Illinois Fire Safety Alliance reports health and safety officials say its vital the public understands the risks and long-term effects fireworks can pose to individuals, pets and combat veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Local residents are encouraged to attend an authorized fireworks display.