The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, Office of the Fire Marshal, will conduct a fireworks safety demonstration Wednesday, June 29, 2005, from 10 a.m. to approximately 11 a.m. at 4600 West Ox Road.
The safety demonstration will provide the media an opportunity to view legal and illegal fireworks. Fire inspectors will also be on hand to show how fireworks are mishandled and improperly used.
Every year thousands of Americans, many of them children, are victims of fireworks accidents. The majority of these accidents are serious. Fingers, arms, hands, faces, eyes, and ears are easy targets for fragments of burning or exploding fireworks.
Firecrackers have been known to explode the instant the fuse is ignited, sometimes severing fingers or causing eye or facial injuries. Bottle rockets, commonly used by consumers, often misfire, landing on roofs, in dry grass, or striking people.
The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission data shows that the majority of fireworks-related injuries happen to persons under the age of 20. Many children are injured by fireworks the day after the holiday.
Many people consider sparklers to be "safe." When fully ignited, a sparkler can reach a temperature of 1800 degrees Fahrenheit, which can easily ignite clothing and cause serious burns. For children under 10, sparklers are generally the most frequent cause of fireworks injuries.
Many fireworks are not available in Northern Virginia because they are illegal. Firecrackers, cherry bombs, and skyrockets are just a few examples of fireworks which may be purchased in other areas but are illegal in Virginia. Since even the possession of unapproved fireworks is prohibited in Fairfax County, such fireworks will be confiscated and persons possessing them will be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor. This carries a maximum penalty of a $2,500 fine and/or one year in jail. All fireworks, that explode, emit a flame, sparks, or performs as a projectile higher than 12 feet, are prohibited by the Fairfax County Fire Prevention Code.
The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend one of the many public displays, but if you are having a home fireworks display here are some safety guidelines to follow:
- Follow the directions.
- Have water available for extinguishment of discarded fireworks or an emergency.
- Place legally purchased fireworks on a flat surface, clear of combustible materials and clear of all buildings.
- Light only one firework at a time.
- Keep bystanders at least 20 feet away from fireworks.
- Do not permit young children to handle or light fireworks.
(Sparklers can reach a temperature of 1800 degrees Fahrenheit.)
- Never throw fireworks.
- Store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
