By Anita Baffoni WPRO News
The state’s Fire Marshal John Chartier said while celebrating the Fourth of July, use caution with fireworks and don’t use illegal aerial brands because it can cause major injuries.
In Rhode Island, aerial and display fireworks are prohibited however ground-based and hand held devices, fountains, illuminating torches and sparklers are allowed.
“Every year across the country, there are over 10,000 injuries that occur from fireworks and amazingly, 35 percent of those injuries happen to children under the age of 15,” said Chartier. “We want you to enjoy your Fourth of July but also be cognizant of what this stuff can do.”
In a demonstration, a watermelon exploded after it was wired with illegal fireworks to show the effects they can have on a human body.
Sparklers may seem innocent, Chartier explained, but they can burn at 1,200 degrees, hotter than a piece of wood catching fire in a fireplace.
“Injuries from those [sparklers] to children can be devastating,” Chartier said. “Never give a firework to a child under the age of 16. It’s illegal.”
As far as duds, Chartier says do not pick them up and try to relight them. Leave them untouched for a while then pick it up with a shovel, put it in a five gallon bucket of water and let it soak. Then it can safely be disposed of. In years past, he said improper handling of dud fireworks have caused loss of limbs and series burns.
