Buffalo Fire Offers Helpful Tips for Fireworks Safety

Buffalo, New York (WBEN) – As some consider lighting their own fireworks or sparklers this Thursday to celebrate the Fourth of July, the Buffalo Fire Department gave a safe fireworks demonstration Tuesday and offered some important tips to keep in mind when setting off your display, as well as which fireworks you can legally light in the state.

“Every year, more than 20,000 fires are caused by fireworks,” notes Buffalo Fire Commissioner William Renaldo. “And more than 10,000 people are admitted to emergency rooms each year for injuries directly related to fireworks.”

Learn which fireworks are illegal and not legal in New York State

Before you buy fireworks out of state, it’s important to know which fireworks are illegal. In fact, sparklers are the only type of fireworks you can use in New York State, whether they’re ground-based or wood-burning, manually operated. All other fireworks are banned in New York State. Some counties do ban the use of sparklers, but these are mostly the southern counties of the state, click here for the full list.

“Anything that can explode in the air is illegal,” said Buffalo Fire Department Lt. Rayshad Russell. “Firecrackers, bombs, Roman candles, flares and any aerial fireworks are illegal.”

Russell says don’t be afraid to ask if the fireworks you buy at the stand are legal in your county and state.

Be prepared with a fire extinguisher and/or a large bucket of water

Lt. Russell recommends “prioritizing safety.” Make sure you have a fire extinguisher or a large bucket of water handy to prevent anything that could catch fire from going up in smoke. Also, make sure to light your sparklers with a long-stemmed lighter or candle lighter, not matches. Make sure your bucket is out of the “hot zone” or designated area where you plan to light your fireworks.

A 12 foot radius is a good rule of thumb for floor sparklers.

Working in an open space

Especially when using ground sparklers, which produce more smoke and a bit more noise, be sure to establish a perimeter and check the packaging to see if there is a certain recommended radius to create or how far they will sparkle. If you are near an area with a lot of houses, you may want to consider finding a more open area.

Designate a designated, sober fire starter and/or safety officer

It’s important to have a responsible, competent and sober person to safely and effectively light the fireworks. They may also have a bucket of water or a fire extinguisher with them, but Lt. Russell notes that it may be more beneficial to assign that role specifically to someone else, so you have more than one set of eyes to watch if something goes wrong.

In case of emergency

Lieutenant Russell stresses that calls to firefighters and ambulances are significantly increased at this time of year. If you have a serious burn, make sure you are treated properly and call ambulance services.