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Be firework safe this Fourth of July

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Zadock Vankurken and Wendy Medley
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Safety
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Many people enjoy fireworks, especially in the festive Fourth of July season. Some firework devices, however, can be dangerous. The National Council on Fireworks Safety recommends people only buy consumer fireworks from a licensed store, tent or stand.
 
People should never buy fireworks from an individual's house or from someone on the street. Such devices are likely to be illegal explosives or professional display fireworks, also known as 1.3G fireworks, that can cause serious injury.

Consumer fireworks, regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, are packaged in bright colors and have safety warnings on the package. The packaging displays the country the fireworks came from. Typical consumer fireworks include fountains, cones, sparklers, firecrackers, rockets and multi‐tube products.

Illegal explosives are often unpackaged and wrapped with plain brown paper. They are unlikely to have any safety warnings or a stated place of manufacturer. Many of them are handmade in basements or illicit factories. These explosives go by names such as M‐80, Quarter Stick or Cherry Bombs. People who are approached by someone trying to sell these illegal fireworks should decline and contact the police.

Professional 1.3G fireworks are legal, but only in the hands of a licensed, trained pyrotechnician. The devices are very different than consumer fireworks, are extremely powerful and are not meant for consumer use. Fireworks will have a warning statement and place of manufacturer, but will also plainly display that they are 1.3G professional fireworks.

Consumer fireworks, when used in accordance with their instructions, are very safe. Injuries from consumer fireworks have shown a dramatic decrease over the last twenty years, despite an astonishing increase in usage by consumers. Some form of consumer fireworks are allowed in 45 states, including Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.

If planning to use fireworks this Fourth of July, keep the following tips in mind:
· Obey local laws and do not use fireworks in areas where they are illegal.
· Only use fireworks outdoors.
· Use fireworks as intended; do not alter or combine them.
· Never relight a "dud." Wait at least 20 minutes to touch the dud and soak it with water.
· Do not use fireworks if drinking alcohol.
· Always have a water hose or bucket of water handy.
· Do not use homemade fireworks or illegal explosives.
· Check fire weather warnings in the area.

Title 21 of the New Jersey State Code details the specific firework bans in the State of New Jersey. Specific information regarding firework use in New Jersey is located at www.njleg.state.nj.us by clicking on "Statutes" underneath "Laws and Constitution."