With the July 4 holiday approaching, residents are once again looking to the skies for fireworks displays - both professionally-coordinated community events, as well as the traditional offering of neighborhood pyrotechnics put on by backyard enthusiasts.
The Dearborn Heights Fire and Police Departments urge caution - and some good common sense - when using fireworks of any type.
"We certainly want our residents to enjoy themselves throughout the holiday", explains Dearborn Heights Fire Chief David Brogan. "And of course, a big element of our Independence Day celebrations include fireworks. I just want to remind our residents and those who visit Dearborn Heights that even the smallest fireworks can be hazardous if they're not used correctly. We just want folks to be smart about how they are using them."
While Michigan's fireworks laws have made it easier for individuals to purchase fireworks, most public safety officials, including Brogan and Dearborn Heights Police Chief Jerrod Hart are still concerned over their safe use. Both agree that because many commercially-available fireworks (with the exception of the largest commercial-type ones) are legal, they all need to be handled with the utmost care by someone who has both knowledge and training on their safe use. "Even the most simple fireworks present potential hazards" Brogan continued. "A major concern of Brogan's is the use of fireworks by children. For example, small hand-held sparklers that are frequently used by kids burn at almost 2,000 degrees - that's hot enough to melt some metals." But fireworks injuries are not limited to just youngsters. "Every year, upwards of ten thousand people visit emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries - mostly burns to the hands, eyes and head. And sadly, over a third of these people are children under the age of 15. Kids just don't have the knowledge, or realize the hazards of playing with fireworks until it's too late. The parents need to step in and keep their kids out of harm's way with these." He emphasized that on average during the month surrounding July 4th, some 180 people visit emergency rooms daily for fireworks-related injuries on a nationwide basis.
The location of where fireworks are launched from also requires some common sense. "All fireworks, particularly the aerial ones, are designed to be used in wide-open environments. Aerial fireworks - no matter how small they are - launched in the middle of a crowded subdivision are dangerous. Even the smallest ones drop smoldering debris, which can ignite if they land in a patch of dry grass, or worse yet, on top of someone's roof." According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), fireworks start an estimated 19,500 fires annually, including nearly 2,000 structure fires, 500 vehicle fires, and over 17,000 outside and other fires - causing an estimated $105 million in direct property damage.
While specific laws exist regarding the different classifications of fireworks (and their legality), Police Chief Hart reminds residents that some of the largest fireworks, with common names like Cherry Bomb, M80, M100, Ashcan and Quarter-Stick are not considered fireworks, but are classified as illegal explosive devices. Many of these are banned federally, regardless of state and local laws. Residents who are caught using these illegal fireworks face confiscation of their remaining "inventory" and could face charges, including significant fines.
Hart emphasizes that Michigan's fireworks laws specifically spell out when they can be used. "The use of fireworks is limited to specific days as outlined in State law and local ordinance. Leading up to Independence Day, fireworks may be discharged from June 29-July 4th, and must cease by 11:45 p.m. Those caught discharging fireworks on unauthorized days or times may be ticketed, and are subject to a $500 fine." In addition, there are other state and local laws regulating the use of fireworks - a partial list includes:
- fireworks must be handled by adults who are not under the influence of alcohol, or handled while consuming alcohol or smoking;
- fireworks cannot be detonated from public property (churches, schools, city parking lots, etc.);
- fireworks cannot be detonated from private property without permission from the property owner;
- fireworks must be detonated where falling debris, including burning ashes & embers, will not land on neighboring parcels (debris/ashes/embers/etc. must land on the same parcel the fireworks were detonated from).
Brogan and Hart concluded by adding "we want our citizens to have a great holiday. Just do it carefully, and with some good common sense when it includes fireworks of any type."
Source: https://www.ci.dearborn-heights.mi.us/news_detail_T7_R291.php
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