NFPA releases new fireworks video urging public to avoid consumer fireworks

Stressing the message that there is no safe way to use consumer fireworks, the National Fire Protection Association this past week released a new online video in advance of the Fourth of July holiday. “Every year fire departments and emergency rooms must respond to the devastating consequences of consumer fireworks,” said James M. Shannon, president of NFPA, in a prepared statement. “This video is a way to go directly to consumers with an important message to help prevent injuries and fires.”

Shannon said that the NFPA has had a longstanding position against the use of consumer fireworks, and the association urges consumers to attend professional displays of fireworks. NFPA established the Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks in 2002 to further that message. This new production is the latest video aimed directly at the public. It depicts headlines of fireworks tragedies from across the country and lists all of the consumer fireworks that cause fires and/or injuries each year.

In the meantime, during the previous week, Rhode Island legalized the sale of non-aerial fireworks (like sparklers and fountain).

The Rhode Island State Fire Marshal's Office advises that the following fireworks are now legal: ground and hand-held sparkling devices (“sparklers”). This includes ground-based or hand-held devices that produce a shower of white, gold, or colored sparks as their primary pyrotechnic effect; additional effects may include a colored flame, an audible crackling effect, an audible whistle effect, and smoke. These devices do not rise into the air, do not fire inserts or projectiles into the air, and do not explode or produce a report (a mild audible crackling-type effect is not considered to be a report.) Ground-based or hand-held devices that produce a cloud of smoke as their sole pyrotechnic effect are also included in this category.

The bill did generate a bit of discussion - lawmakers were reported as saying that selling small fireworks could generate roughly a million dollars each year, but safety officials countered that the potential income was not worth the risk of additional injuries and property damage.

To view the NFPA video, visit:

NFPA: Exploding myths: The dangers of consumer fireworks.

Rhode Island's updated fireworks definitions:

RI State Fire Marshal: Rhode Island Fireworks Definitions (22 June 2010)

Additional information from NFPA on fireworks:

NFPA: Fireworks