Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Minnesota Fireworks: Fear, Fun, and the Fourth

America's Independence Day is coming up Friday: July 4th.

Since fireworks on the Fourth is a big American tradition, things that go whiz, bang, and boom are in the news:
  • "Avoid injuries, use fireworks safely"
    Hutchinson Leader (June 30, 2008)
    • "July 4 is one of our most widely celebrated holidays. Parades are followed by gatherings at the park, parties on the deck — and too often, trips to the emergency room.
    • " 'Traditionally, we celebrate generations of independence by allowing our children to play with wires coated with explosives that burn at 2,000 degrees,' says State Fire Marshal Jerry Rosendahl, 'but there are no other circumstances under which we’d let our children anywhere near these things. Fireworks are not toys. They require strict attention to be used safely.'..."
  • "Illegal fireworks: Easy to get, difficult to catch people with them"
    KARE 11 (June 30, 2008)
    • "With a warehouse full for Friday, Marc Zappa's fireworks store draws customers for miles.
    • " 'They come from all over,' Zappa said.
    • "And some of them leave with lots.
    • " 'There are definitely people who put on big shows, and they'll load up pickup loads of stuff,' Zappa said. 'And where they go with them, I don't know.'..."
    "Minnesota Fireworks Laws"
    B.J. ALAN COMPANY
    • This is a pretty quick-look resource for which fireworks are, and aren't, legal in Minnesota: with information that will help start more detailed research.
  • "Local official urges caution when using fireworks"
    Bemidji Pioneer (June 28, 2008)
    • "Sixty-seven people were injured in June and July last year in Minnesota due to fireworks.
    • "According to the Minnesota State Fire Marshal, 45 of those injured (78 percent) were 29 years old or younger.
    • "With the Fourth of July quickly approaching, along come the yearly warnings promoting fireworks safety...."
I was going to be witty about this, advising people not to eat sparklers, and warning that lit firecrackers do not make good earplugs. But the more safety-conscious among us do have a point.

Please: use common sense at the fourth. don't be one of those several dozen that'll probably hurt themselves this weekend. If there are too many of you, the more risk-adverse Minnesotans may wind up reinstating the old fireworks ban.

3 comments:

Brigid said...

I never did understand that ban. I mean, in town it makes sense, but couldn't they just say "don't set these things off inside city limits"?

Brian H. Gill said...

Brigid,

'It ain't s'posed to make sense...It's reg'lations.'

I suppose it was thought that it was easier and/or better to remove the dangerous (true enough) things entirely.

Besides, what was used to sell the idea wasn't fire prevention in town, but personal safety concerns.

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