Chief’s Column: Stay safe on the 4th of July — and don’t blow yourself up

The July 4th holiday is just a few days away but judging by the looks… and the sound… of it, Fourth of July celebrations have already begun. For this column, I’ve decided to simply pass on information offered by the Department of Fire Services – Office of the State Fire Marshal. These safety tips and more may be found at mass.gov/service-details/leave-fireworks-to-the-professionals.

Stay Safe… Fireworks are dangerous and illegal

Give firefighters, EMT’s and hospitals a holiday this year. July 4th is a busy time for firefighters. They are supervising professional fireworks shows and responding to all types of fires and medical emergencies. There may be fewer fireworks shows this year due to social distancing, but fire departments will still be very busy. In fact, the week of July 4th is one of the busiest times of the year for fires. Firefighters, police officers, and medical professionals ask you to help us during this pandemic, and leave the fireworks to the professionals.

All Fireworks Are Illegal in Massachusetts

The possession and use of all fireworks by private citizens is illegal in Massachusetts. This includes Class C fireworks which are sometimes falsely called “safe and sane fireworks.” Class C fireworks include sparklers, party poppers, snappers, firecrackers, spinners, cherry bombs and more. Sparklers burn at 1800ºF. It is illegal to transport fireworks into Massachusetts, even if they were purchased legally elsewhere. Illegal fireworks can be confiscated on the spot.

What does the law prohibit?

It is illegal for private citizens to use, possess, or sell fireworks in Massachusetts, or to purchase them legally elsewhere and then transport them into the state. The law prohibits any article designed to produce a visible or audible effect.

• Sale of fireworks Penalty: Fine or imprisonment or both, and confiscation
• Fine: $100 to $1000
• Imprisonment: Maximum of 1-year
• Mandatory seizure of fireworks
• Possession, use, cause to explode of fireworks Penalty: Fine and confiscation
• Fine: $10 to $100
• Mandatory seizure of fireworks

Do Not Purchase Fireworks through Mail-Order or Online Catalogs

Do not purchase fireworks by mail. Government cannot prohibit the advertising and sale of fireworks by mail, but police do confiscate illegal shipments of fireworks. Many consumers attempting to circumvent the law have lost both their money and their fireworks.

Set a Good Example for Children

Children imitate adults. If you use fireworks, children will copy you, not realizing how very dangerous fireworks are. Thirty-eight percent, (38%), of fireworks-related burn injuries reported by hospitals to the Office of the State Fire Marshal in the last 10 years (2010-2019) were to children under age 18. Twenty-five percent, (25%), were children under age 10.

Fires Caused by Fireworks

In the past decade (2010-2019), there have been 858 major fire and explosion incidents involving illegal fireworks reported to the Massachusetts Fire Incident Reporting System (MFIRS). The incidents caused 12 civilian injuries, 40 fire service injuries, and an estimated dollar loss of $2.9 million, which is high considering most fireworks fires are outdoor brush fires.

Burns and Injuries Caused by Fireworks

In the past decade (2010-2019), 37 people were treated at Massachusetts emergency rooms for severe burns injuries from fireworks (burns covering 5% of more of the body) according to the Massachusetts Burn Injury Reporting System (M-BIRS). Fifty-four percent of the victims were under age 25. These victims are scarred for life.

The members of the Grafton Police Department would like to wish everyone a healthy and happy Fourth of July weekend. Please stay safe…and stay away from fireworks.