FIRE DEPT. WARNS OF HOME FIREWORKS
Fireworks don’t have to go “boom” to be dangerous in the wrong hands.
With Fourth of July celebrating already underway, Chicago Fire Department officials want people to know even something as simple as a sparkler also can be hazardous.
“The injuries that we see year in and year out range from minor burns to catastrophic life-changing injuries such as lost fingers, loss of sight and unfortunately, even fatalities,” said Chicago Fire Commissioner Richard Ford II.
Illinois is one of four states that have banned using or buying fireworks — except for novelty items like sparklers and smoke bombs. Chicago has gone further and banned residents from using and buying sparklers and bottle rockets.
But laws are looser in Wisconsin and Indiana, so Chicago residents can buy the banned items there if they make the drive.
Sparklers can cause severe burns, because they reach temperatures of 1,800 to 3,000 degrees, Ford said.
According to a report by Illinois’ state fire marshal, 134 injuries due to fireworks were reported from June 23 through July 20 last year. About 10% were children under 6.
During the holiday weekend, the Chicago Fire Department will deploy extra ambulance crews, including two additional rescue boats.
Officials encourage people to skip their home displays in favor of a larger public show, such as the one at Navy Pier Thursday night.
“We have one of the greatest firework displays in the nation,” said CFD Deputy District Chief Walter Schroeder. Using fireworks at home “is just too dangerous, and if something were to happen, it could be at a great cost.”