State fire marshal urges the public to leave fireworks to the professionals

Posted on July 3, 2023
Fire marshal spokesperson JC Fultz advises against using fireworks in your backyard. (WJBC file photo)

By IIS Radio

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Fire Marshall’s office is asking the public to leave fireworks to the professionals.

Last July, 44 medical facilities reported 168 fireworks related injuries in Illinois, including 20 dismemberment or amputations. More than half of the injuries were to the hands and the majority were second degree burns said fire marshal spokesperson JC Fultz. He advises against using fireworks in your backyard.

“There are other options that you can use like a glow stick. We always want to give a kid a sparkler because we think that is a safe option, but sparklers burn in excess of 1,200 degrees and that is hot enough to melt glass and make steel glow red,” said Fultz.

Fultz reminds that only novelty items like snappers and poppers are legal in Illinois.

WJBC News can be reached at [email protected]

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