Nassau County Firefighters to Long Islanders: Leave Fireworks to the Professionals

With only one week left until the Fourth of July, if you're thinking of preparing to set off your own fireworks in your backyard or local neighborhood, you might want to think again.

The Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center and the Rockville Centre Fire Department recently sent out a warning urging Long Islanders to enjoy a professional fireworks display, rather than attempt to set off fireworks themselves in order to avoid accidents.

Recently, New York’s laws have changed to allow for certain types of fireworks to be sold and used within the state, but officials warn that are extremely dangerous and should only be used by those with the proper training and certification.

Even sparklers, the tip of which burns at a temperature of more than 1,200 degrees which is hot enough to cause third-degree burns, can be just as dangerous as fireworks.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission found that in 2014, 11 people died in fireworks-related accidents and an estimated 10,500 injuries were treated across the nation, according to a press release from the Nassau County Firefighters Museum.

About 1,500 reported injuries involved sparklers and bottle rockets and 67 percent of all fireworks injuries occur during the Fourth of July holiday, according to the release.

Children between the age of 10 and 14 are two and a half times more likely to be injured by fireworks.

“Fireworks displays and shows are regulated in the State of New York for very serious safety reasons,” Nassau County Firefighters Museum Chief Safety Instructor, John V. Murray said. “Fireworks, along with sparklers and other similar devices, can be extremely dangerous. They can cause serious injuries, maiming and death if handled improperly."

So if you want to leave the fireworks to the professionals this year, check out Patch's 2016 Long Island Fireworks Guide to find a fireworks show near you.