| Fireworks can be the most dangerous explosives and | | | | do get very hot. A typical sparkler can burn at |
| are best handled by trained professionals. | | | | temperatures up to 1,800 degrees. Such |
| It is hard to imagine the Fourth of July without | | | | temperatures can quickly start fires and at close |
| fireworks. More people ignite simple or homemade | | | | range can burn skin and eyes. |
| fireworks each year than attend large-scale fireworks | | | | Cherry Bombs |
| displays. But simple fireworks such as bottle rockets | | | | The destructive power of cherry bombs makes |
| and sparklers are the most dangerous manufactured | | | | them particularly dangerous. The M80 and M100 |
| explosives. And M80 and M100 cherry bombs the | | | | cherry bombs are illegal in many states, and for good |
| most dangerous type of fireworks. | | | | reason. Sixteen M80s or eight M100s detonated |
| According to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety | | | | together can be equivalent to a stick of commercial |
| Commission (CPSC), approximately 7,000 people | | | | grade dynamite. The same general principles that |
| were treated for fireworks-related injuries in 1998. | | | | apply to commercial and military explosives apply to |
| This number was down from an estimated 8,300 in | | | | fireworks. The explosive power of these fireworks |
| 1997. | | | | can be doubled when they are compressed or |
| But The National Council on Fireworks Safety says | | | | contained. |
| that each year there are over 100 injuries reported | | | | Homemade and Illegal Fireworks |
| to the NEISS reporting hospitals. Based on these | | | | According to the CPSC, over the past 10 years, illegal |
| actual injuries, the CPSC produces an estimate of | | | | explosives or homemade fireworks have typically |
| injuries on a national basis. The estimate for calendar | | | | caused 33% of the injuries associated with fireworks. |
| year 2006 was approximately 9,200 injuries. | | | | Illegal explosives have been outlawed by federal law |
| Bottle Rockets | | | | since 1966. The laws against these dangerous devices |
| Bottle rockets can reach speeds up to 200 miles per | | | | are enforced by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco |
| hour; are a significant fire hazard; and are susceptible | | | | & Firearms (ATF), possessing these types of |
| to ricochet which means they can end up traveling in | | | | explosives can result in being federally prosecuted |
| any direction. If they land on combustible materials or | | | | with substantial monetary penalties and jail time |
| dry brush a fire can start very quickly. When a bottle | | | | attached to a conviction. The illegal explosives are |
| rocket detonates, the casing can burn for a few | | | | easy to recognize because they have a primitive |
| seconds or a few minutes. A few seconds are all | | | | appearance and have no labeling or warnings on |
| that is needed to start a fire. | | | | them. |
| Sparklers | | | | As the Fourth of July approaches, do not become |
| Sparklers present a silent danger. Sparklers do not | | | | another statistic. |
| blow up and they do not have trajectory but they | | | | |