HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) – The state’s Fire Marshall is urging safety this 4th of July.
According to the latest data of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 230 people go to the emergency room daily with injuries from fireworks and in 2014 at least 11 resulted in death. Most emergency room visits were for the treatment of burns. The most common injuries were to the eyes, hands, head, and face. Most inflictions were to bystanders rather than the activators of the fireworks themselves.
State law requires consumer-grade fireworks only be ignited from personal property. It is illegal to ignite fireworks on public property (including streets and sidewalks), school property, church property, or another person’s property without their express permission. State law makes it illegal to discharge fireworks when intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.
State Fire Marshal Julie Secontine has issued a fireworks program. Secontine also warns of the dangers of sparklers too. Children are being injured by being poked with sparkler wires and are being badly burned by sparklers each year.
Michigan consumers can report illegal fireworks sales by calling the BFS fireworks complaint hotline at 855-345-6442.
