What you need to know about 4th of July home fireworks: Most dangerous types, safety measures

Palm Beach Post

• Fireworks-related injuries in the U.S. in 2023 occurred in the two weeks leading up to the July 4 holiday and the two weeks after.
• The Health District of Palm Beach County reported that 11 people were treated at the St. Mary's and Delray medical centers for traumatic injuries related to fireworks from June of 2023 to this past May.
• Local police and fire agencies say the safest way to enjoy fireworks this holiday is to leave it to the professionals.

As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, it means a time to celebrate with fireworks.

For many Floridians, that will mean venturing out to watch a professional fireworks display. For others, that could mean setting off fireworks in their driveway. The Fourth of July is one of three designated holidays when fireworks can be used by the general public, along with New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

But before venturing out to your local novelty store, local fire and police officials are urging those planning neighborhood displays to use caution. Most fireworks-related injuries in the U.S. in 2023 occurred in the two weeks leading up to the July 4 holiday and the two weeks after, according to a report from the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The Health District of Palm Beach County reported that 11 people were treated at the St. Mary's and Delray medical centers for traumatic injuries related to fireworks from June of 2023 to this past May, including five children from ages 12 to 17. About 60 percent of the critical injuries during that timeframe occurred during last year's Fourth of July festivities, the health care district said.

"Essentially, the biggest fear and concern with fireworks is the fact that they are very unpredictable," said Elyse Weintraub Brown, Community Education Supervisor for Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. "No matter what, you're still going to burn an ignition source to light something that is going to burn, or explode in some manner or fly up in the air."

Professional displays are safest way to enjoy fireworks, officials say

Shell and mortar fireworks, Roman candles and sparklers are frequent causes of severe and traumatic fireworks injuries, the Burn and Reconstructive Centers of America reported. A shell is an aerial item propelled by a fuse that lights up the sky when released. Mortars are tubes containing a shell with a long fuse and are commonly associated with display fireworks.

Common fireworks-related injuries include burns affecting the hands, fingers and face, eye injuries, hearing damage and smoke inhalation, the health care district said.

The loud noises they produce can also scare pets and livestock. Pet owners are encouraged to keep animals in a secure location, and to ensure that fields and stalls are free of hazards for larger animals. Residents should also check all fences and latches to prevent animals from escaping.

Those seeking to buy fireworks from a special store typically will be asked to sign a waiver saying the purchase will be used for designated uses such as frightening birds from agricultural works and fish hatcheries if used outside of the three state designated holidays.

What are the penalties for using fireworks unlawfully?

However, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office warns that signing a waiver will not clear anyone from responsibility if deemed to be unlawfully using fireworks, and notes that the crime is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Florida's law does not supersede local government laws or neighborhood association rules created before 2020, when the three designated holidays were established. However, it does restrict cities and homeowner associations from making new rules to prevent residents from taking advantage of the fireworks holidays.

Local police and fire agencies say the safest way to enjoy fireworks this holiday is to leave it to the professionals.

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"When it comes to fireworks, when things go wrong, they go very wrong very fast," West Palm Beach police spokesperson Mike Jachles said. "Faster than any 911 system can respond, so the safest thing is leave it to the professionals. We're in area, we have a lot of cities and entertainment venues that offer professional displays, so go see a free display and enjoy it safely."

Tips for safely using fireworks

• Use on a flat, hard surface. Do not use on grass.
• Be aware of surroundings, including people and hazardous materials nearby.
• Use fireworks in an open area. Keep pets and children away from ignited fireworks
• Light one item at a time and never attempt to re-light a dud.
• Keep a fire extinguisher or water hose on hand for emergencies.

Source: Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office

Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him atjwhigham@pbpost.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at@JuliusWhigham. Help support our work:Subscribe today.

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more.