2008 News

July 3, 2008

Bucks County Fire Marshal’s Office Offers Fireworks Safety Tips For A Safe And Happy Fourth Of July Celebration

As a public safety reminder to residents, the Board of Bucks County Commissioners, James F. Cawley, Chairman, Charles H. Martin and Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW, join Chief Operating Officer David M. Sanko and county Fire Marshal Nicholas Rafferty to remind everyone about tips for fireworks celebrations over the upcoming July 4 holiday weekend. These include:

  • Home fireworks displays such as ground displays and hand-held sparklers that are sold from roadside tents are legal, but VERY DANGEROUS!;
  • These home fireworks displays have a temperature range from 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit to 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit;
  • Home fireworks displays should only be handled by adults;
  • 40 percent of all fireworks injuries occur to children under 15 years of age, and 23 percent of all fireworks injuries occur to children under the age of five;
  • According to the Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease and Control Prevention 2005 prevention report, fireworks injuries accounted for an estimated 10,800 emergency-room incidents;
  • Any explosive fireworks are ILLEGAL. These include M-80’s, firecrackers, etc.
  • Any fireworks that shoot into the air are illegal. These include bottle rockets, and other projectiles.

Always remember: FIREWORKS ARE FIRE – DON’T LET CHILDREN PLAY WITH FIRE OR FIREWORKS!