Community Corner

State Fire Marshal Talks Fireworks Safety


By Nick Gestido 

Fourth of July fireworks are a great way to celebrate America's birthday, but State Fire Marshal William E. Barnard said Wednesday afternoon that while fireworks are fun, they're also dangerous.

Barnard told members of the media Wednesday afternoon during a press conference in Cockeysville that, in 2011, fireworks were responsible for 9,600 injuries nationwide—over a quarter of those injuries afflicted young adults and children.

In Maryland, he said, from 2008-2012, fireworks were responsible for 112 fires—20 last year alone—that caused more than $1.4 million in property damage.

Read those stats and still don't think fireworks are dangerous?Check out these videos.

That's why most varieties of fireworks are illegal in Maryland; in fact, only ground-based sparkling devices, gold-label sparklers and novelty items are ever legal, and even those aren't okay in some areas. 

For instance, Harford County has banned ground-based sparkling devices—people should always check their local regulations, he said.

"Your best bet would be to buy fireworks in the jurisdiction where you plan to discharge them so you don't run afoul of the law," he said. 

For her part Jacqueline Olson, president of the Maryland State Firemen's Association, thinks you have a different best bet. Check out a video of Olson providing fireworks safety tips attached to this article.

"The safest and cleanest way to enjoy fireworks, again, is to attend a public fireworks display," she said. "Let the professionals do it all while you sit there with your family and enjoy the Fourth."


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