LEAVE FIREWORKS TO THE PROFESSIONALS

AMATEUR USE OF FIREWORKS CAN LEAD TO DEVASTATING BURNS AND OTHER INJURIES, FIRES AND EVEN DEATH.

Each year in the United States approximately 10,000 people are medically treated for fireworks-related injuries. More often than not it is the bystanders that sustain the injuries.

 

A 4-year-old girl was injured by a 6-inch fountain that shot colored fireballs. When the fountain tipped over, the girl was struck in the chest by a fireball. She sustained 2nd and 3rd degree burns to her chest and neck. She was hospitalized for three weeks for burn treatment and skin graft.

ALMOST HALF OF THE INJURIES OCCUR AMONG CHILDREN AGES 14 YEARS AND YOUNGER.

  • Males sustain about 72% of the injuries.
  • Parts of the body most frequently injured are hands and fingers (26%), eyes (21%), and head and face (18%).
  • More than half of the injuries involve burns (63%).
  • Injuries are most commonly associated with fire-crackers (24%), sparklers (21%) and rockets (18%).

 

A 15-year-old boy was injured when he tied together the wires of 10 sparklers. The sparklers ignited quickly and burned down very fast, finally exploding in his hand. The boy sustained a five-inch long laceration to his hand and forearm, exposing muscle, and lodging of debris in his hand and arm. The boy required extensive plastic surgery

 

MANY PEOPLE THINK OF SPARKLERS AS HARMLESS FIREWORKS THAT ARE SAFE FOR CHILDREN TO USE. THEY ARE NOT!

Sparklers can heat up to 1800 degrees (hot enough to melt gold) and can easily catch fire to clothing or hair.

 

A 33-year-old man was killed while setting off mortar style fireworks out of a black plastic pipe while in his backyard. As he leaned over one of the tubes to light the fuse, the fireworks suddenly went off striking him in the face. He was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead from head injuries.

 

THINK BEFORE YOU LIGHT!

Any person possessing, using or exploding ANY fireworks in New Jersey is guilty of a criminal misdemeanor. The criminal penalty is a fine of $10,000 or imprisonment of six months or both. Such person is also liable for a civil penalty of $750.00.

Concerned citizens can anonymously report the delivery, sale and/or storage of fireworks.