ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Fireworks are one of the most iconic ways to celebrate Independence Day, which is less than two weeks away. But they’re also one of the most dangerous.
According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, more than 10,000 injuries were caused by fireworks last year, and that’s why first responders recommend leaving the sparkly displays to the professionals.
Many local communities host fireworks displays, coordinated by professionals. But according to first responders, amateur displays can be very dangerous.
“A lot of fireworks injuries occur. We see a lot with the hands, face, neck,” said Ashwaubenon Public Safety Fire Inspector Dan Peterson. “More times than not it’s when you’re lighting the firework that’s when we see the majority of the injuries occur.”
Any firework that explodes or leaves the ground is technically illegal to set-off in Wisconsin without a permit, but there are plenty of people who still put on their own personal displays.
“If you do have to do them yourself, we just want you to understand the risks that can come with using the consumer fireworks,” said Peterson. “They are very unpredictable. And so we just want you to understand the risks that you’re taking on by partaking with those consumer fireworks.”
In a controlled setting with firefighters dressed in protective gear, Ashwaubenon Public Safety demonstrated with the help of some fruits and vegetables just how dangerous some consumer fireworks can be.
“If you have a dud, or one that doesn’t go off, leave it be,” cautioned Peterson. “Don’t go anywhere near it, and if you choose to still light off additional fireworks, go to a different site than the one that didn’t light off and just let that one sit. And having your source of water, even a garden hose, water, sand, anything ready to go that’s important as well.”
Sparklers, a seemingly harmless and legal Fourth of July staple, are popular with kids. They burn very hot, upwards of 1,200 degrees.
“If you can just have one child, have his or her sparkler lit and enjoy it, and once it’s done have the next child go,” recommended Peterson. “When you have multiple kids play with the sparklers, that’s when you have more than one kid kind of paying attention to their sparkler and not their surrounding, and that’s when you can have accidents happen.”
Firecrackers, bottle rockets — any kind of explosive firework — should never be held when being set off. The explosiveness shredding the inside of this pepper.
And with dry conditions and very little rain lately, environmental issues should be considered when deciding to put on an amateur display.
“Aside from the injury concerns, we have to worry about setting off grass fires that can spread to structures and other things,” added Peterson.
First responders don’t want to take the fun out of the holiday, but they want people to be safe.
“Red, white and blue silly string — things like that — still ways for the kids to have fun without the fireworks,” suggested Peterson.
Or Peterson recommends taking in a public community display and leaving the fireworks celebrations up to the professionals.
