4th of July Shouldn't Include a Trip to the Emergency Room

The Fourth of July should mean going to cookouts, the beach and fireworks displays - not the emergency room. Yet every year thousands of people nationwide end up there because of injuries caused by personal fireworks.

Two Rivers Fire Chief Kevin Timm thinks children should stick to playing with glow-in-the-dark items like light sticks. If families are going to use fireworks, adults need to be the ones handling them, he said .

• They should light fireworks on blacktop or concrete, not grass, and make sure the device is stable so it won't topple over.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission and National Council on Fireworks Safety offer the following additional recommendations:

Manitowoc Police Chief Tony Dick suggests disposing of used fireworks by putting them in a bucket of water.

Parents may think sparklers are safe and allow their young children to run and play with them. However, sparklers can burn at more than 1,000 degrees and can cause serious burns.

Deputy Chief Gregg Kadow of the Manitowoc Fire Department says people using fireworks should not wear loose-fitting clothing, and they should stand several feet away.

Personal fireworks can cause fires as well as injuries. More fires are reported on July 4 than any other day, and half are the result of fireworks, according to Kadow.

People who choose to use personal fireworks may not bring them to a public fireworks display or to any other public event. To be in possession of personal fireworks at a public event is a municipal ordinance violation in both Manitowoc and Two Rivers.
Many types of fireworks are illegal in Wisconsin regardless of whether the person is at a public gathering or on private property.
Information from Dick lists roman candles, bottle rockets, firecrackers and mortars as examples of illegal fireworks.
It's legal to sell such fireworks in Wisconsin, but only to people who have a permit, according to information from Two Rivers Police Chief Joe Collins.

With warm weather and family events, the Fourth of July can be a fun time with great memories. But before your family celebrates, make sure everyone knows about fireworks safety.

If not handled properly, fireworks can cause burn and eye injuries in kids and adults. In 2003, six deaths were linked to fireworks and hospital emergency departments treated 9,300 fireworks injuries.

The best way to protect your family is not to use any fireworks at home - period. Attend public fireworks displays, and leave the lighting to the professionals.

Lighting fireworks at home isn't even legal in many areas, so if you still want to use them, be sure to check with your local police department first. If they're legal where you live, keep these safety tips in mind:

• Kids should never play with fireworks. Things like firecrackers, rockets, and sparklers are just too dangerous. If you give kids sparklers, make sure they keep them outside and away from the face, clothing, and hair. Sparklers can reach 1,8000 Fahrenheit (9820 Celsius) - hot enough to melt gold.
• Buy only legal fireworks (legal fireworks have a label with the manufacturer's name and directions; illegal ones are unlabeled), and store them in a cool, dry place. Illegal fireworks usually go by the names M-80, M100, blockbuster, or quarterpounder. These explosives were banned in 1966, but still account for many fireworks injuries.
• Always use fireworks outside and have a bucket of water and a hose nearby in case of accidents.
• Steer clear of others - fireworks have been known to backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction. Never throw or point fireworks at someone, even in jest.
• Don't hold fireworks in your hand or have any part of your body over them while lighting.
Wear some sort of eye protection, and avoid carrying fireworks in your pocket - the friction could set them off.
• Point fireworks away from homes, and keep away from brush and leaves and flammable substances. The National Fire Protection Association estimates that local fire departments respond to more 50,000 fires caused by fireworks each year.
• Don't allow kids to pick up pieces of fireworks after an event. Some may still be ignited and can explode at any time .
• Think about your pet. Animals have sensitive ears and can be extremely frightened or stressed on the Fourth of July. Keep pets indoors to reduce the risk that they'll run loose or get injured.
If a child is injured by fireworks, immediately go to a doctor or hospital. If an eye injury occurs, don't allow your child to touch or rub it, as this may cause even more damage. Also, don't flush the eye out with water or attempt to put any ointment on it. Instead, cut out the bottom of a paper cup, place it around the eye, and immediately seek medical attention - your child's eyesight may depend on it. If it's a burn, remove clothing from the burned area and run cool, not cold, water over the burn (do not use ice). Call your doctor immediately.
Fireworks are meant to be enjoyed, but you'll enjoy them much more knowing your family is safe. Take extra precautions this Fourth of July and your holiday will be a blast!


State law allows the sale, possession and use, without a permit, of sparklers not exceeding 36 inches in length, stationary cones and fountains, toy snakes, smoke bombs, caps, noisemakers, confetti poppers with less than Y4 grain of explosive mixture, and novelty devices that spin or move on the ground. Wis. Stat. § 167.10(1). There is no age restriction on sale, possession or use of these devices and the statute does not classify them as fireworks. Local ordinances may be more restrictive than state statutes and may prohibit any of these items or limit their sale or use. These are the only kinds of "fireworks," as that word is commonly used, that a person may use or possess without a permit or that may be sold to a person who does not have a permit.

Possessing or using any other fireworks, including, for example, firecrackers, roman candles, bottle rockets and mortars, in Wisconsin without a valid permit is illegal. Wis. Stat. § 167.10(3). A commonly used rule of thumb is that a permit is required if the device explodes or leaves the ground. The sale of these restricted fireworks to a resident of this state without a valid permit is also illegal. Wis. Stat. § 167.10(2).

The requirements for a valid permit are contained in Wis. Stat. § 167.10(3)(a), (c) and (f) and are detailed below.

A permit may be issued by a mayor, village president or town chair or any person designated by the mayor, village president or town chairperson. Wis. Stat. § 167.10(3)(a). If a city, village, or town requires that a user's permit be signed or stamped, a person who is authorized to issue the permit under par. (a) may sign or stamp the permit before the permit is issued rather than signing or stamping the permit at the time that it is issued. Wis. Stat. § 167.10(3)(fm).
A permit is valid only in the city, village or town of the official who issued it. A mayor, village president, town chair, or a person they have designated can only authorize possession or use of fireworks within their jurisdiction. Wis. Stat. § 167.10(3)(a). For example, a permit issued by the town chair of one town cannot and does not authorize possession or use of the fireworks in another town. A person who has a valid permit from one municipality may purchase fireworks in another municipality and transport them to the municipality in which the person has a permit. Wis. Stat. § 167.10(3)(b)7.

A permit may require a bond or insurance. Wis. Stat. § 167.10(3)(e). An official issuing a permit may require a bond or insurance policy to indemnify the issuing municipality for any damages that may result from the possession or use of the fireworks.

A permit may be issued to an individual or group of individuals. Permits, other than for crop protection, may be issued to a public authority, a fair association, an amusement park, a park board, a civic organization, an individual, or a group of individuals. Wis. Stat. § 167.10(3)(c).

Although individuals may obtain permits, a group may also obtain a permit in the group's name. A group with a permit may authorize an individual to make purchases on its behalf, but the permit must be in the name of the group. A person buying for a group should have both a copy of the group's permit and the authorization of the group. A group may not issue a blanket authorization to all of its members to purchase on behalf of the group. City of Wisconsin Dells v. Dells Fireworks, Inc., 197 Wis. 2d 1, 21, 539 N. W.2d 916 (et. App. 1995). The authorized buyer may only buy the kind of fireworks specified in the group's permits. The total quantity purchased by all authorized buyers on behalf of the group cannot exceed the quantity of fireworks authorized by the permit.

The fireworks purchased on behalf of the group may only be possessed in the municipality which issued the group's permit, except while being transported from the point of sale to that municipality. The fireworks may only be used by the group on the date and location specified on the permit and subject to any other conditions on the permit.

A valid permit must specify the general kind and approximate quantity of fireworks which may be purchased. Wis. Stat. § 167.10(3)(£)3.

A permit must specify the location at which the fireworks may be possessed or used. Wis. Stat. § 167.10(3)(£)4. As noted above, this location must be within the jurisdiction of the official who issued the permit. It must be a specific location within that jurisdiction, rather than the entire jurisdiction. The statute uses "location" in the singular. A permit that specifies multiple locations is not valid.
The permit must specify the date of the permitted use. Wis. Stat. § 167.10(3)(£)4. The word "date" is in the singular in the statute. A permit that specifies multiple dates or a range of dates of permitted use is not valid. This, in combination with the specification of location, means that a separate permit is required for each date and location for which use is permitted.

The permit must specify the date on and after which the fireworks can be purchased. Wis. Stat. § 167.10(3)(£)2. Once a permit is issued, the permitee may purchase fireworks up to the date of the permitted use.

A copy of a permit for large fireworks displays must be given to a fire or law enforcement official in the municipality which issued the permit at least two days before the date of use. Wis. Stat. § 167.1 0(3)(g). This requirement does not apply to smaller consumer fireworks which require a permit, i.e. those classified as Division 1.4 explosives under CFR 173.50, or those items which fall outside the definition of fireworks e.g. those identified in Wis. Stat. §167.10(l)(a)-(n). (Display fireworks are those classified as Division 1.3 explosives under CFR 173.50.)

The permit may contain additional restrictions. Wis. Stat. § 167.10(3)(£)5. A municipality may adopt ordinances imposing special restrictions, e.g., times or manner of use, distances from buildings or spectators, etc. and a permit may specify these additional restrictions.

Permits may not be issued to minors. Wis. Stat. § 167.10(3)(h). Since minors may not be issued fireworks permits, there are no conditions under which it is legal for a minor to possess or use any fireworks except those allowed without a permit, e.g., sparklers, snakes, fountains, etc.

Fireworks vendors rather than only wholesalers or jobbers are now permitted to sell fireworks to a person who is not a resident of this state. Wis. Stat. § 167.1 0(2)(bg). However, a nonresident person may not possess or use fireworks in Wisconsin without a valid Wisconsin permit. Wis. Stat. § 167.1 0(3)(a). See also State v. Victory Fireworks,

Inc., 230 Wis. 2d 721, 726-27, 602 N.W.2d 128 (et. App. 1999). A nonresident who lawfully purchases fireworks under a permit can possess and use those fireworks in Wisconsin pursuant to the terms of the permit or may transport them out of state. A nonresident without a valid Wisconsin permit may order fireworks from a fireworks vendor for shipping out-of-state. Wis. Stat. § 167.1 0(4), or may transport those fireworks from Wisconsin to another state. (See below)

Persons may transport fireworks from the place they were purchased to the city, town or village where their possession or use is authorized under a permit or ordinance. Wis. Stat. § 167.1 0(3)(b)7. However, persons transporting fireworks may not possess them in a city, town or village without a permit from that jurisdiction if they remain there for more than 12 hours. Wis. Stat. § 167.10(3)(bm).
A person who possesses or uses fireworks without a valid permit, or who sells fireworks to a person who does not have a valid permit, is subject to a forfeiture of up to $1,000 per violation. Wis. Stat. § 167.1 0(9)(b). Each firework illegally possessed, used or sold may be a separate violation.

A parent or guardian who allows a minor to possess or use fireworks (not including those for which no permits are required) is subject to a forfeiture of up to $1,000 per violation. Wis. Stat. § 167.10(9)(c).
A city, village or town may obtain an injunction prohibiting a person from violating Wis. Stat. § 167.10(8)(a). Violations of such an injunction are criminal misdemeanors, subject to up to 9 months injail and a $10,000 fine. Wis. Stat. § 167.10(9)(a).


Fireworks safety tips for pet owners
If you are going to have fireworks and you have pets, you should know some basic fireworks safety to keep your pets from getting hurt. It is too easy for animals to get injured when fireworks are being set off. It is the owner's responsibility to make sure the animal is safe so this doesn't happen.

Instead of risking the injury of your pet, keep the pet indoors during times that fireworks will be lit. This includes sparklers. An animal could step on a sparkler that is still hot and burn its feet. Animals can be traumatized by the noise of the fireworks as well. Keeping the pet indoors will make him feel more secure and he will be safer.
Keep sparklers off the ground if you still want your pet to be outdoors. Have a specific place for people to put the sparklers when it has burned out. Sparklers stay very hot long after they have burned out. It is extremely important to make sure they don't land on the ground where people and animals can easily get injured. Even when the sparkler cools down, the end of the sparkler can easily lodge in an animals foot.

Throughout the fireworks, keep the pet away from any open flames or sparks. This is especially true for pets who have a lot of fur. Their fur can easily catch on fire from the sparks and open fire. It won't be too difficult to keep the pets away. They have a natural instinct that will usually keep them from anything that involved fire. You are more likely to have a problem from sudden sparks.

After all the fireworks are over, clean up the mess. Pets can still get injured after the fireworks are over. They could be curious about the debris and ingest it which will likely be bad for them. Fireworks can also leave debris with sharp edges that can injure the pet. Cleaning it up will prevent any accidental injury to your pet after the fireworks.
If you put the above plan into action to practice safety during fireworks for your pet, he will be safe from harm. Accidents can still happen, but you will feel better knowing you did everything in your power to keep the pet safe. Don't take any chances. Do what any responsible pet owner would do.


Fireworks Injuries Decrease in 2008 to an All Time Low

Welcome to the National Council on Fireworks Safety site. Our mission is to educate the public on the safe and responsible use of consumer fireworks so as to eliminate injuries. We encourage you to review our site for safety information. You are free to use any of our information in safety presentations for your community, your schools, or your civic groups. Help us to gellhe safety message out!
I Always have water handy. (A hose or bucket).

I Only use fireworks as intended. Don't try to alter them or combine them.

Never relight a "dud" firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.

Use common sense. Spectators should keep a safe distance from the shooter and the shooter should wear safety glasses.

Only persons over the age of 12 should be allowed to handle sparklers of any type.

Do not ever use homemade fireworks of illegal explosives: They can kill you!

Report illegal explosives to the fire or police department in your community.

The National Council on Fireworks Safety invites you to celebrate our nation's heritage on the Fourth of July, but celebrate safely.