Buffalo Fire offers helpful tips for firework safety

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - With some considering setting off some of their own fireworks or sparklers this Thursday to celebrate the Fourth of July, the Buffalo Fire Department on Tuesday gave a safe firework demonstration and offered some important tips to keep in mind when setting off your display, as well as which fireworks you can set off legally in the state.

"Over 20,000 fires are started every year attributed to fireworks," notes Buffalo Fire Commissioner William Renaldo. "And over 10,000 people are admitted to emergency rooms annually [with] injuries directly related to fireworks."

Knowing which fireworks are illegal and not legal in New York State

Before you buy out of state, it is important to know which fireworks are illegal. Essentially, sparklers are the only types of fireworks you can operate in New York State, whether that be ground-based or wood-based, hand-operated ones. All other fireworks are prohibited in New York State. Some counties prohibit the use of sparklers, but those are mostly downstate counties, click here for the full list.

"Anything operable, that explodes in the air is illegal," says Lt. Rayshad Russell of the Buffalo Fire Department. "Firecrackers, bombs, Roman candles, sky rockets, any aerial fireworks are illegal."

Russell says don't be afraid to ask if the fireworks that you are buying at the stand are legal to operate in your county and state.

Be prepared with a fire extinguisher and/or large bucket of water

Lt. Russell says "safety first." Make sure you have a fire extinguisher or large bucket of water at the ready to prevent anything that may catch fire from going up in smoke. Also, make sure you are lighting your sparklers with a long-stemmed or candle lighter and not matches. Make sure your bucket is out of the "hot zone" or designated area where you plan on lighting your fireworks.

A 12-ft radius is a good rule of thumb for ground sparklers.

Operate in open area

Especially when you are operating ground-based sparklers, which have more smoke and a little more bang, be sure that you establish a perimeter and check the packaging to see if there is a certain radius recommended to create or how far they sparkle out to. If you are a close to an area with many houses, maybe consider finding a more open area.

Assign a designated and sober fire starter and/or safety manager

It is important that you have a responsible, capable and sober individual lighting the fireworks safely and effectively. They can also have the bucket of water or fire extinguisher with them, but Lt. Russell notes it may be more beneficial to assign that role specifically to another person, so you have more than one set of eyes watching if anything goes awry.

In case of emergency

Lt. Russell notes that fire and ambulance calls are amplified heavily this time of year. For serious burns, make sure you get treated properly and call ambulatory services.