06/29/2026
Be kind to you fellow neighbors this 4th of July
Shooting off fireworks is strongly discouraged due to significant risks of severe personal injury, devastating property fires, dangerous air pollution, and severe trauma to local wildlife and pets. Public safety officials consistently advise leaving fireworks to professionals rather than using them at home.
The primary reasons to avoid setting off consumer fireworks include:High Risk of Injury: Fireworks are responsible for thousands of emergency room visits annually, causing severe burns, loss of fingers, and permanent eye damage. Even seemingly harmless sparklers burn at temperatures up to 2,000°F and are a leading cause of injuries in young children.Catastrophic Fires:
Nationwide, fireworks ignite an estimated 19,500 fires each year, including structural and vehicle blazes. Stray sparks or malfunctioning rockets can quickly ignite dry grass, roofs, or trees.
Community Disturbances: The sudden, loud, and unpredictable explosions are highly distressing for veterans suffering from PTSD, as well as infants and young children trying to sleep.
Stress to Pets and Wildlife: The loud booms cause panic and severe anxiety for domestic animals, leading to higher rates of pets running away and getting lost. It also causes massive disorientation for roosting birds and local wildlife.
Environmental and Air Pollution: Fireworks release heavy metals (such as aluminum, manganese, and cadmium) and hazardous gases into the air, which negatively impact air quality and can irritate the lungs.