Illegal fireworks traffickers have discovered that it's bad business to sell their contraband in New York City. We intend to continue our zero tolerance approach to the sale and use of illegal fireworks. Our primary goal is public safety. So we are calling on the people of New York to help us. First we want you to stay away from illegal fireworks.
Fireworks can cause serious injuries including the loss of fingers, hands and vision.
Working together with the Police Department, we hope to exceed last year's goal and have fewer citizens injured. This was a 47 percent decrease from 1996, when there were 38 serious injuries. As of July 2nd of this year, the Fire Department reported eight fireworks related injuries. In the same period last year, there were ten serious fireworks injuries. Mayor Giuliani created the Joint Task Force in 1995 to eliminate the trafficking of illegal fireworks into New York City and to educate the public about the dangers of fireworks.