When you think of the 4th of July, fireworks come to mind. Firework displays can be spectacular, but fireworks themselves can be deadly! They can cause serious eye and burn injuries. In 2009, U.S. emergency rooms treated an estimated 8,800 people for fireworks related injuries. 39 percent of the people injured by fireworks were under the age of fifteen.
Fireworks are not permitted to be sold, displayed for sale, or sold at retail in the State of Iowa. Sparklers, caps used in toy guns, snakes are not included in the definition of fireworks and are permitted. Listed below is a subsection of Chapter 727 of the Code of Iowa that deals with fireworks regulations:
727.2 Fireworks
The term 'fireworks' includes any explosive composition, or combination of explosive substances, or article prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration, or detonation, and includes blank cartridges, firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, roman candles, or other fireworks of like construction and fireworks containing any explosive or flammable compound, or other device containing any explosive substance. The term 'fireworks' does not include gold star-producing sparklers on wires which contain no magnesium or chlorate or perchlorate, flitter sparklers in paper tubes that do not exceed one-eighth of an inch in diameter, toy snakes which contain no mercury, or caps used in cap pistols.
A word about sparklers
Sparklers and novelties alone account for 32 percent of the emergency room fireworks injuries. Although sparklers are not illegal we advise against using them. They actually burn at extremely high temperatures. These temperatures can reach 1200 degrees Fahrenheit, which can rapidly burn through clothing and skin.
When attending professional fireworks displays, please remember to:
· Obey and respect all safety barriers set up. This helps the professionals shooting the show do their jobs.
· Resist the temptation to get close to the firing site. Often, the best view is from a quarter of a mile or more away.
· Leave your pets at home - the loud noise can scare animals and hurt their sensitive hearing.
· Do not possess or shoot off fireworks on your own. Besides risking injury to yourself and the crowd watching the demonstration, it is illegal to do so and you risk breaking the law.
Whatever your plans are for the Fourth of July holiday make sure to have fun, be safe and respect the people around you.
Click here to view KWWL's news segment on firework safety:
http://www.kwwl.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=6008573&h1=Keeping%20the%204th%20Safe&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=170533&LaunchPageAdTag=Search Results&activePane=info&rnd=80817101
Source: NFPA
