Don’t go to jail on the 4th

The Fourth of July is here, and a great opportunity presents itself – a reason to set fire… The Fourth of July is here, and a great opportunity presents itself – a reason to set fire to many things. But while we are all out igniting colorful explosives, canisters that smoke and random pieces of lawn furniture, let’s not forget that fireworks can be dangerous, and that some are illegal in Pennsylvania.

The types of fireworks that most people will light in their backyards are known as consumer fireworks. What most people will see at professional shows are called display fireworks. The laws that cover display fireworks are relatively clear – if you don’t have a license to do so, lighting display fireworks is illegal.

But the laws surrounding consumer fireworks are more involved. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission sets a 50-milligram limit on explosive material that can be contained within a consumer device. Beyond that, the laws vary from state to state. West Virginia and Maryland are two of the 37 states to allow some or all consumer fireworks. On the other end of the spectrum are states such as New York and New Jersey that do not allow any consumer fireworks, including those permitted by the CPSC. Pennsylvania and Ohio, among other states, fall into a middle category that allows only sparklers and other small novelties. A rule of thumb with this category is: if it’s sold at the supermarket, it’s legal.

Still, the fact that a firework is legal does not mean that it isn’t dangerous. According to the CPSC, a sparkler – one of the most commonly sold novelties – can reach temperatures around 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, approximately the temperature of lava as it erupts from a volcano, and can easily cause third-degree burns. By following the laws and exercising some common sense, such as keeping water nearby and not pointing flaming objects at fellow revelers, you can hopefully avoid injury and can have a fun, safe and burn-free July 4.

Oh, and try not to poke out your eyes.