CPSC Cites Four Deaths in 2011 from Fireworks

CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum June 26 opened the annual fireworks safety press conference on the National Mall by sharing a statistic from the study that found that 65% of all fireworks injuries occurred in the 30 days around the July 4th holiday (June 17, 2011-July 17, 2011). She also said that the agency received reports of four consumer deaths related to professional or homemade fireworks and a total of 9,600 consumer injuries in 2011.

Her data came from the annual report on fireworks, which estimated the 30-day period had 800 emergency room-treated injuries involving firecrackers, 1,100 involving sparklers, and 300 involving bottle rockets.

The report is at www.cpsc.gov/library/2011fwreport.pdf.

Cynthia Quarterman, head of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), took to the podium next and explained that her agency’s primary concern is transportation and that commercial transportation of fireworks in the U.S. is prohibited without PHMSA approval. She also reminded the crowd that fireworks are not allowed on airplanes and that there are stiff penalties, including imprisonment for breaking the law. She also referred to an advisory letter sent to fireworks shippers and distributors as well as a consumer guide to safely transporting fireworks.

Arthur Herbert, assistant director of enforcement at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, closed the speaking portion of the event, asserting his agency’s commitment to finding and stopping manufacturers of illegal explosives. He explained that a federal explosives license is required to make, distribute or receive professional-grade fireworks. He also described ways consumers can distinguish legal and illegal or homemade fireworks:

• Legal consumer fireworks are typically in brightly colored packaging and have manufacturer information,

   

• Legal professional grade fireworks are housed in large cylinders with brown paper and have manufacturer information.

Accompanying press information detailed some indicators that fireworks (such as M-80s M-100s, M-250s and M-1000s) are illegal:

• It resembles a roll of coins with a green, waxy fuse

   

• It is wrapped in a non-descript, spiral-wound paper tube

   

• Is one to six-inches long

   

• The product is sold in non-commercial locations such as a vehicle or residence.

The press conference ended, as always, with eight physical demonstrations of potential fireworks hazards and injuries using props such as manikins. CPSC also released a fact sheet with its fireworks injury data. The sheet had a red, white, and blue theme and used cartoon figures. See www.cpsc.gov/onsafety/2012/06/cpsc-science-fireworks-injuries.