Fire officials have long viewed sparklers and other pyrotechnics as fire and safety hazards. As July Fourth approaches, some state and city officials are concerned that the sparklers now available might be even more dangerous.
Stores can now legally sell what are labeled sparklers, but are cardboard cannisters that contain more pyrotechnic material than the small, handheld wires so popular with children, said Capt. John Gallagher of the Philadelphia Fire Department.
The legal wording "changed from handheld sparklers to just sparklers, and it opened up a whole new avenue of fireworks sale, both in Pennsylvania and Philadelphia," said Thomas Donovan, fire prevention deputy director for the Fire Department.
And that change in state law has caused some concern.
"The thing we look for is the pyrotechnic content," Gallagher said. "The higher the pyro content, the more dangerous it is."
In 2003, nearly 9,300 people in the United States had to seek emergency-room treatment for fireworks injuries, according to the Philadelphia Fire Department.
And the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that more than 50 percent of fireworks injuries happen to children and teenagers.
A trade group, however, says that fireworks are becoming safer and that people are becoming more aware of safety, according to the American Pyrotechnics Association Web site.
Injuries from fireworks have dropped 75 percent from 1990, while the use of fireworks has tripled in that time, according to the group.
"Safe and sensible fireworks use by amateurs doesn't exist," State Fire Commissioner Ed Mann said in a statement released yesterday. "Death, permanent scarring, loss of vision, dismemberment and property destroyed by fire are the harsh realities of amateur fireworks use."
What is considered fun can also create safety hazards, warns the Philadelphia Fire Department.
"Fireworks are dangerous and should be left to the hands of professionals," Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers said Tuesday at an event to promote fireworks safety awareness.
Small fireworks and sparklers, which are sold at stores and stands around the city, can cause fires and bodily harm when used improperly, fire officials said.
"Consumers should be aware that even at roadside stands or stores, they have legal and illegal fireworks mixed in," said Scott Wolfson, a spokesman for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Cherry bombs, firecrackers and bottle rockets still are illegal, as are aerial shells, which can only be used by professionals with a permit.
The city is offering three professional fireworks displays this weekend as part of the Sunoco Welcome America July Fourth celebration.
Fireworks will be set off following Philly's Dance Party off the Strawberry Mansion Bridge tomorrow; the Rhythm and Blues Concert at Penn's Landing on Saturday; and the Elton John concert at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Monday.
City officials want residents to leave the pyrotechnics to the professionals.
"We have too many people in too congested an area," Donovan said, "people don't have lawns, and they're setting fireworks off two feet from their house.
"This just is not the right city to have consumer fireworks," he said.
Children should always be supervised around pyrotechnics and should never handle them.
Pyrotechnics should only be used in a wide-open area.
A large bucket of water and a fire extinguisher should be nearby.
SOURCES: Philadelphia Fire Department; U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Distributed by the Associated Press
