With the 4th of July right around the corner, everyone is thinking about long weekends, picnics and barbeques. But more than all of that, the main attraction for this big summer holiday, the fireworks are on everyone’s mind. Who will have the best display? Where do you want to park your blanket to get the best view but still be safe? What can you get away with setting off in your own backyard?
Unfortunately with all the fireworks fun comes accidents, injuries and close calls. The National Council on Fireworks Safety (NCFS) reports an average from 7,000 to 11,000 fireworks-related injuries per year from 1996 to 2008. NCFS recommends several safety precautions to avoid dangerous situations with fireworks: always keep water nearby, use common sense and appoint a “designated shooter” who hasn’t consumed alcohol, another common ingredient of 4th of July parties.
NCFS also recommends that those shooting off fireworks research and follow local laws and regulations, which vary widely from state to state and even city to city. Most state regulations impose a minimum age to purchase certain types of fireworks, from as young as 12 (in North Dakota) up to 18 years old (in Montana.)
Many state regulations also list explicitly allowed fireworks and explicitly prohibited fireworks. If you are celebrating in Nebraska, you can check the list of permissible and non-permissible items where you’ll find out if you can set off your favorites, including the “Eye Ball Buzz-Shogun,” “Snake Bite Ninja Force,” “Un Poco Loco” or “Rainmaker.”
Various statutes and regulations also contain strict requirements for larger, public displays. Washington regulations require a walk through and demonstration prior to receiving a permit for the display, readily accessible fire extinguishers and safe distances from audiences. Pyrotechnic devices need to be no closer than fifteen feet from the audience, but additional distance may be required based on the fallout radius of the devices used in the display.
Several states also have regulations that might make you wonder why they felt it necessary to put it in writing. In Hawaii, it is illegal to throw ignited fireworks “from, at, or into a vehicle” and “at a person or an animal.” Hawaii also specifies that you should not “set off, ignite, discharge, or otherwise cause to explode any fireworks Within one thousand feet of any operating hospital, licensed convalescent home, licensed home for the elderly, zoo, licensed animal shelter, or licensed animal hospital.”
Whether you plan to skip the fireworks and lounge by the pool or take Katy Perry’s advice to “let your colors burst” in your own backyard, please make it a safe and happy holiday weekend.
