****Consumer Product Safety Commission**Fireworks**CPSC Document #012**
The American traditions of parades, cookouts, andfireworks help us celebrate the summer season,especially our nation's birthday on the Fourth of July.However, fireworks can turn a joyful celebrationinto a painful memory when children and adults areinjured while using fireworks. Although legalconsumer fireworks that comply with the CPSCregulations can be relatively safe, all fireworks arehazardous and can cause injury. Fireworks areclassified as hazardous substances under the FederalHazardous Substances Act. Some fireworks such asillegal firecracker type devices (M-80's, quartersticks) and professional display fireworks shouldnever be used or handled by consumers or childrendue to serious injuries and death that can and dooccur from such use or handling. 
The following are examples of injuries from legal andillegal fireworks:
*A 33-year-old man was setting off mortar stylefireworks out of a black plastic pipe while inhis backyard. As he leaned over the one of thetubes and lit the fuse, the fireworks immediatelywent off striking him in the face. He wastransported to a hospital where he was pronounceddead from head injuries.
A 6-inch fountain that shot colored fireballsinjured a 4-year-old girl. When the fountaintipped over, the victim was struck in the chestby a fireball. She sustained 2nd and 3rd degreeburns to her chest and neck. She was hospitalizedfor three weeks for burn treatment andskin grafts.
A 15-year-old male tied together the wires of 10sparklers. The sparklers ignited quickly andburned down very fast, finally exploding in hishand. The victim sustained a five-inch longlaceration to his hand and forearm exposingmuscle. Also, debris from the explosion lodgedin his hand and arm. The victim had plasticsurgery and has recovered.
To help prevent incidents like these, the federalgovernment, under the Federal Hazardous SubstancesAct, prohibits the sale of the most dangeroustypes of fireworks to consumers. These bannedfireworks include large reloadable mortar shells,cherry bombs, aerial bombs, M-80 salutes andlarger firecrackers containing more than two grainsof powder. Also banned are mail-order kits designedto build these fireworks.
In a regulation that went into effect December 6,1976, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commissionlowered the permissible charge in firecrackersto no more than 50 milligrams of powder. Inaddition, these amended regulations provide performancespecifications for fireworks other thanfirecrackers intended for consumers use, including arequirement that fuses burn at least 3 seconds, butno longer than 9 seconds. All fireworks must carrya warning label describing necessary safety precautionsand instructions for safe use.
The Commission has issued a performance requirementto reduce the risk of potentially dangerous tipoverof large multiple tube mine and shell devices.Tip-over of these devices has resulted in twofatalities. The new requirement went into effect onMarch 26, 1997.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commissionestimates that in 2002 about 8,800 people weretreated in hospital emergency rooms for injuriesassociated with fireworks. Over half the injurieswere burns and most of the injuries involved thehands, eyes, and head. About half of the victimswere under 15 years of age.
Fireworks should be used only with extreme caution.Older children should be closely supervised,and younger children should not be allowed to playwith fireworks.
Before using fireworks, make sure they are permittedin your state or local area. Many states andlocal governments prohibit or limit consumerfireworks, formerly known as class C fireworks,which are common fireworks and firecrackers soldfor consumer use. Consumer fireworks includeshells and mortars, multiple tube devices, RomanCandles, rockets, sparklers, firecrackers with nomore than 50 milligrams of powder and noveltyitems such as snakes, airplanes, ground spinners,helicopters, fountains, and party poppers. In generalconsumer fireworks are: DOT Class C 1.4GUN0336.
The following is a summary of state regulations as ofMay 1, 2002.

I. **STATES THAT ALLOW SOME OR ALLTYPES OF CONSUMER FIREWORKS** (formerly known as class C fireworks), **APPROVED BY ENFORCING AUTHORITY, OR AS SPECIFIED IN LAW** (37 states including the District of Columbia):AlabamaAlaskaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaHawaiiIdahoIndianaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMarylandMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontana NebraskaNew HampshireNew MexicoNevadaNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOklahomaOregonSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
(The above states enforce the federal regulations and applicable state restrictions).
III. **STATES THAT ALLOW ONLY SPARKLERS AND/OR OTHER NOVELTIES** (total of 7 states):ConnecticutIllinoisIowaMaineOhioPennsylvaniaVermont
IV. **STATES THAT BAN ALL CONSUMER FIREWORKS** (including those which are allowed by CPSC regulations) - (total of 7 states):ArizonaDelawareGeorgia New JerseyNew YorkMassachusettsRhode Island
To help consumers use fireworks more safely, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission offers these recommendations:
- Do not allow young children to play with fireworksunder any circumstances. Sparklers, consideredby many the ideal "safe" firework for the young,burn at very high temperatures and can easily igniteclothing. Children cannot understand the dangerinvolved and cannot act appropriately in case ofemergency. 
Older children should only be permitted to usefireworks under close adult supervision. Do notallow any running or horseplay.

Light fireworks outdoors in a clear area awayfrom houses, dry leaves or grass and flammablematerials.

Keep a bucket of water nearby for emergenciesand for pouring on fireworks that don't go off.

Do not try to relight or handle malfunctioningfireworks. Douse and soak them with water andthrow them away.

Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.

Never ignite fireworks in a container, especially a glass or metal container.

Keep unused fireworks away from firing areas.

Store fireworks in a dry, cool place. Check instructions for special storage directions.

Observe local laws.

Never have any portion of your body directly over a firework while lighting
- Dont experiment with homemade fireworks. **PARENTS SHOULD SUPERVISE THE ORDERING AND USE OF MAILORDER "MAKE YOUR OWN" FIREWORK KITS.**

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