Fireworks - the myth and truth It's that time of year again when millions of Americans come together to celebrate the birth of our nation. To many, if not most of this countries revelers it will simply be a time to get outside, grill some meat of choice, go to the lake and of course fill the air with the smoke, noise and aerial displays of fireworks. Most of these will have no concept of the cost in lives and sacrifices that were made to allow us this freedom. Few Americans of this day will ever take even a moment to reflect on the great heritage that is ours and the high cost in lives that this country has paid, and will continue to pay, for its freedoms. For this and other reasons, including nothing short of pure unadulterated apathy, we as Americans are seeing a steady eroding of those freedoms as one-by-one they are taken away or limited. And yet we sit on our hands and do nothing, thinking they don't effect us individually. When will we as Americans finally realize that we are each a part of the greater whole and what effects one, effects us all? We are not Caucasians, African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans or Asians. We are not just men and women, boys and girls, rich or poor. We are AMERICANS! When will we, with a collective voice wake up and say ENOUGH?! Every year about this time it seems that we are up to our necks with those who seek to ban or seriously curtail our freedom to celebrate the birth of our nation with fireworks, touting them as the source of all manner of evils. These range from the potential maiming or destruction of countless children to what seems like an insinuation that mass areas of homes will be destroyed. I myself, as so many Americans have been guilty of apathy, thinking it doesn't effect me. Call it conviction, Hillbilly bullheadedness, my lack of trust in our news media, the fact that I am a Missourian born and bred and you have to "show me" or all of the above have decided that I have had enough! I wanted to know exactly what the truth was and what all the hype was about. So I went looking. What I found was an internet full of what turned out to be the same misguided, uninformed and heavily slanted hype that I could hear any day of the week by turning on the local news. But by digging deep enough to get to the actual sources, I have come up with a few items that brought the information together in neat packages and I want to pass on to you my readers. Let me point out again that what you are about to read are concise compilations of the same information that I found when I went digging, but in a readable and easily understandable format. Basically, someone else had already taken the time to bring all of the raw data together into one easy to understand format, which is what I was endeavoring to do in the first place. All I had to do was verify it and make sure that it WAS NOT JUST CAREFULLY FORMATTED HYPE designed to push someone else's point of view. I've just laid it out here for you to read and YOU make up your own mind. Personally, I found that my suspicions were right and thus let me say publicly to all - I apologize for my past apathy and lack of involvement. And to each and every one of you who have fought for and served our country in our military (both men and women) and the families that supported and suffered with them, THANK YOU for helping to preserve or freedoms, even if we do take them for granted all to often.
Now before you go touting that the numbers presented are still way to high, and perhaps they may be, were is your fervor to reduce some of the more serious issues? I for one am a big proponent of lightning rods on homes, home electrical safety checks, properly tuned vehicles, etc. But, I don't believe that this view would get very far even though they are bigger and more costly issues. Cigarettes are responsible for more deaths and illnesses in this country than most of the other items combined, but I'm not sure that I am ready to push my views on this issue at this time either. Another point that was not brought out very well was the fact nearly half of all injuries, accidents and fires were brought about by: - The misuse of fireworks.
- Using illegal fireworks.
- Modifying fireworks.
I also found that there was a possible correlation between the restriction of fireworks and the number of injuries that occurred, especially serious injuries. Remember what happened when America attempted to take away peoples right to purchase and consume alcohol with prohibition? At no time in the history of this country, then or since, have we ever seen such a sharp rise in crime, much of it violent. It has also been reported that the number of people who consumed alcohol rose more sharply during this period than at any other time in our history. Now I'm not making any attempt to hitch my wagon to what happened during prohibition for many reasons. But I am saying that when the rights of any people to enjoy something that is ingrained and institutionalized, they will find a way to do it anyway. This is human nature, like it or not. And without the protections and controls that legalization brings, people will get hurt and many of them much more seriously than what we see now.
The United States Fireworks Injury Problem in Perspective Approximately 70 million Americans sustain nonfatal injuries each year, according to data compiled by a special commission of the National Research Council. Motor vehicles, firearms, and falls account for over 60% of this total. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has estimated that approximately 10,000 Americans have been injured annually in fireworks-related incidents over the past decade, with serious misuse accounting for a large majority of the incidents.
Fireworks, therefore, are involved in only about 0.01 % of all injuries — 99.99 % of injuries in this country are associated with something other than fireworks.
There are an estimated 6,820 hospitals in the United States, according to the American Hospital Association. Each hospital, on the average, treats approximately one fireworks-related injury per year. In contrast, there are approximately 205 automobile related and 82 bicycle related injuries treated per hospital per year.
If you listen to some anti-firework messages, you would be led to believe that fireworks are the leading cause of fire-related injuries in the United States. The 2000 CPSC report on product related injuries lists numerous heat-producing products with greater injury estimates than fireworks.
2000 Injury Estimates References: “Injury In America,” Committee on Trauma Research, National Academy Press, Washington, DC, 1985 National Electronic Surveillance System (NEISS), 2000 Report, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C. Back To Top
Fireworks-Related Fires In 1997 (compiled every 10 years), the United States Fire Administration reported that there were 656,548 fires in the United States. Of these occurrences, only 0.3% involved fireworks. The following chart illustrates the ranking of fireworks-related fires in comparison with some of the more commonly recognized sources of ignition: | Form of Ignition | Number of Fires | Percentage of Total | | Short Circuit | 49,160 | 7.5% | | Match | 34,052 | 5.1% | | Cigarette/Smoking Material | 23,416 | 3.4% | | Properly Oper. Elect. Equip | 25,119 | 3.8% | | Engine Backfire | 10,984 | 1.6% | | Lighter | 7,919 | 1.2% | | Radiated Heat | 4,867 | 0.7% | | Overloaded Equipment | 5,163 | 0.7% | | Lightening Discharge | 4,965 | 0.7% | | Fireworks | 2,532 | 0.3% | | | | |
Fireworks Related Fires - Dollar Loss Value In 1997 (compiled every 10 years), the United States Fire Administration reported that there were 656,548 fires in the United States. The total dollar loss value of these fires exceed $3.6 billion ($3,667,241,439). Of these occurrences, the dollar loss value of fires related to fireworks was $5.4 million, or 0.1%. The following chart illustrates the dollar loss percentage value of fireworks-related fires in comparison with the dollar loss values attributable to some of the more recognized sources of ignition. | Form of Ignition | Dollar Loss | Percentage of Total | | Short Circuit | $199,013,739 | 5.4% | | Cigarette/Smoking Material | $119,205,172 | 3.3% | | Properly Oper. Elect. Equip | $108,364,569 | 3.0% | | Match | $107,126,437 | 2.9% | | Lighter | $59,522,012 | 1.6% | | Lightening Discharge | $58,669,522 | 1.5% | | Overload Equipment | $51,969,755 | 1.4% | | Radiated Heat | $25,579,894 | 0.7% | | Engine Backfire | $21,883,916 | 0.6% | | Improper Oper. Elect. Equipment | $31,292,761 | 0.9% | | Fireworks | $5,421,181 | 0.1% |
Safety Do's and Do Not's Fireworks are an American tradition. They can provide hours of wholesome, family entertainment, but must be used by adults carefully and safely. To insure the safety of both the audience and those lighting the fireworks, we recommend that you follow the following fireworks safety measures during your fireworks display. 1. CHILDREN SHOULD NOT HANDLE FIREWORKS.
NEVER LET CHILDREN HANDLE, PLAY WITH, OR LIGHT ANY FIREWORKS. ONLY ADULTS SHOULD HANDLE AND LIGHT THE FIREWORKS. The fireworks are great family fun, but they burn very hot and are intended to be handled only by adults.
| 2. DO NOT USE ALCOHOL WITH FIREWORKS.
Please do not consume any alcohol while lighting or handling any fireworks. Fireworks must be used only by individuals who act in a responsible manner and who are not under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you are impaired in any way when you use fireworks, you increase the possibilities of misuse and injury to yourself and others.
| 3. FOLLOW THE LAWS; USE COMMON SENSE
Follow your local and state laws regarding the possession and use of fireworks, and use good common sense when using fireworks. Read all directions, cautions, labels, and warnings on each individual firework item to understand the product performance and hazards associated with the use of the item. If your state has shooters' sites, use them. Use only those fireworks permitted under the laws of the state and local jurisdiction in which you are using the fireworks.
| 4. USE FIREWORKS ON A HARD SURFACE. Always light fireworks on a hard, flat, and level surface to insure the stability of the items. Grass is generally not suitable for any item intended to be used in an upright position. (If lighting fireworks on grass, lay down a flat wooden board for a shooting surface.)
| 5. USE IN A CLEAR, OPEN AREA. Always keep the audience (and particularly children) a safe distance away from the shooting site. Always light your fireworks in a clear open area away from buildings, vehicles, and shrubbery. A minimum clear radius of 30 feet for fountains and other ground based items and 100 yards for any aerial product is recommended. You should avoid lighting the fireworks in any area where there is dry grass or brush that could catch fire or near any flammable items. Never use fireworks indoors. Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.
| 6. KEEP CLEAR OF THE FIREWORKS. Never put your head or any part of your body over the top of any fireworks product. Never look into a tube to check on the firework item. Never hold a lighted firework item in your hand. Keep as far from the firework item as possible when lighting.
| 7. USE CARE IN LIGHTING THE FIREWORKS. Always light fireworks products with a punk, a flare or an extended butane lighting device. This will enable you to keep as far from the firework item as possible. If needed, use a flashlight at night so the fuse can be easily seen; never use a lantern or other flame producing device near fireworks for illumination. Light the fireworks product and get away quickly. Respect the fireworks, because if used improperly, they can be dangerous.
| 8. ONE AT A TIME. Light only one firework item at a time.
| 9. DON'T USE MALFUNCTIONING OR "DUD" ITEMS. Never attempt to re light, alter, or fix any "dud" firework item. If a firework item fails to ignite, let it stand for at least five minutes, then immerse it in water. Dispose of the item properly. You can always return the item to your Phantom dealer for replacement.
| 10. HAVE WATER CLOSE BY. Have an accessible fire extinguisher, water supply, hose, or bucket of water nearby for emergencies. During any fireworks shoot, there should always be one individual assigned as the fireman, whose sole job is to be alert and at the ready with a water source.
| 11. WINDY CONDITIONS. Be cautious of lighting any fireworks during strong wind conditions. The fireworks should be lit with the prevailing wind blowing away from the spectators. If there is a significant wind shift during the time you are lighting the fireworks, the shooting site should be rearranged to accommodate the wind shift or the shooting should be stopped until the windy conditions subside.
| 12. USE CARE IN HANDLING FIREWORKS. Do not carry fireworks in your pocket or on your person. It is preferable to keep the products in a closed container before ignition. Always be careful in handling fireworks to prevent dropping them. Never smoke when handling fireworks.
| 13. NEVER USE THE FIREWORKS AS WEAPONS. Never aim, point, or throw any fireworks at another person or at any property.
| 14. STORAGE OF FIREWORKS. Always store fireworks in a cool, dry place and dispose of fireworks properly.
| 15. USE FIREWORKS OUTDOORS. Never use fireworks indoors; only use them outdoors under safe conditions.
| 16. PURCHASE FIREWORKS FROM RELIABLE DEALERS. Buy fireworks only from reliable, licensed fireworks dealers. Licensed and reliable dealers will only carry those products that meet standards set and enforced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Do not use illegal explosives; do not alter any firework device; do not make your own fireworks.
| 17. SAFETY GLASSES. Safety glasses are recommended for those individuals lighting the fireworks and those individuals in close proximity to the fireworks.
| 18. BE CAREFUL WITH ANIMALS. The noise and lights of the fireworks often frighten some animals, so it is very important that you are careful with pets and farm animals. You may want to consider moving the animals away or keeping them inside during your display. Please be considerate of your pets and animals when using fireworks.
| 19. DO NOT TRANSPORT FIREWORKS ON AIRPLANES. It is a violation of federal aviation law to transport any fireworks device on an airplane. Please respect this law and do not attempt to carry any fireworks onto an airplane or transport them in your luggage.
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