It is now legal to purchase and use a wider variety of fireworks in Michigan, but remember: legal does not mean hazard-free! There are serious safety risks associated with launching a private fireworks show, or even lighting a sparkler. Here are the facts you should know as the holiday approaches.
The Statistics
Each year in the United States, there are approximately:
- 7,000–10,000 injuries in the 30 days surrounding Fourth of July. Children (newborn to 15 years of age) account for 40% of those injuries.
- 20,000 fires attributed to fireworks
- $100 million in medical costs
- $15-20 million in property loss
If you think the damage is caused by "bigger" fireworks alone, think again. Even sparklers are more powerful than they appear. Consider the facts:
- Sparklers burn at 1800 degrees
- Bottle rockets travel 200 miles per hour and can ricochet in multiple directions
- Igniting 16 M80 cherry bombs is the equivalent of one stick of dynamite
Play it Safe!
One thing is certain: the more people using fireworks, the more injuries we'll see as a result. Avoid the risk altogether and leave fireworks to the professionals. Please encourage your friends to do the same. That way you can focus on what really counts this Fourth of July – celebrating our greater community.
