This is by far, the most misleading fireworks-related injuries article that I have read in over 25 years. Legal consumer fireworks, regulated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission do not cause injuries necessitating amputations, nor do they blow off fingers, hands and limbs. Illegal explosives, such as M-80s, Quartersticks and Cherry Bombs will cause the type of bodily injuries described in this article, as will professional display fireworks when misused by untrained, unlicensed individuals. M-80s, Quartersticks, Cherry Bombs and Silver Salutes have been federally banned since 1966, yet each year these devices make their way into the market place by bootleggers, typically in states and locales where there is a complete prohibition on federally regulated, consumer fireworks.
This is my far the most outrageous, inaccurate, misleading, anti-fireworks article that I have read in 25 years working with the fireworks industry. Legal Consumer Fireworks do not cause amputations. In fact, a legal consumer firecracker may only contain 50 mg. of explosive composition (about the size of an aspirin tablet). If such a firecracker went off in your hand, it would sting, perhaps break the skin slightly, but your fingers, hand, and limb would not be severely damaged and you certainly would not require amputation. Illegal explosives, such as M-80s, Quartersticks, Silver Salutes and Cherry Bombs, however, will cause severe bodily harm, as will professional display fireworks if mishandled by untrained, unlicensed individuals. Consumer fireworks are stringently regulated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and are safe, when used properly. To prevent injury while celebrating with backyard consumer fireworks, simple common sense is necessary and people should follow the instructions for proper use. This type of misleading fear-mongering is in really poor taste.
Julie, you are quite mistaken. Consumer grade fireworks absolutely do have teh capability to cause the mayhem described. I’ll agree that the illegal goods are probably more dangerous, but a simple thing like a Roman Candle can easily take off a finger if the star was improperly packed at the manufacturer causing it to go out the side (Where your fingers are) instead of the top (Where it’s supposed to go out)
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This is by far, the most misleading fireworks-related injuries article that I have read in over 25 years. Legal consumer fireworks, regulated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission do not cause injuries necessitating amputations, nor do they blow off fingers, hands and limbs. Illegal explosives, such as M-80s, Quartersticks and Cherry Bombs will cause the type of bodily injuries described in this article, as will professional display fireworks when misused by untrained, unlicensed individuals. M-80s, Quartersticks, Cherry Bombs and Silver Salutes have been federally banned since 1966, yet each year these devices make their way into the market place by bootleggers, typically in states and locales where there is a complete prohibition on federally regulated, consumer fireworks.
This is my far the most outrageous, inaccurate, misleading, anti-fireworks article that I have read in 25 years working with the fireworks industry. Legal Consumer Fireworks do not cause amputations. In fact, a legal consumer firecracker may only contain 50 mg. of explosive composition (about the size of an aspirin tablet). If such a firecracker went off in your hand, it would sting, perhaps break the skin slightly, but your fingers, hand, and limb would not be severely damaged and you certainly would not require amputation. Illegal explosives, such as M-80s, Quartersticks, Silver Salutes and Cherry Bombs, however, will cause severe bodily harm, as will professional display fireworks if mishandled by untrained, unlicensed individuals. Consumer fireworks are stringently regulated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and are safe, when used properly. To prevent injury while celebrating with backyard consumer fireworks, simple common sense is necessary and people should follow the instructions for proper use. This type of misleading fear-mongering is in really poor taste.
In poor taste?
Julie, you are quite mistaken. Consumer grade fireworks absolutely do have teh capability to cause the mayhem described. I’ll agree that the illegal goods are probably more dangerous, but a simple thing like a Roman Candle can easily take off a finger if the star was improperly packed at the manufacturer causing it to go out the side (Where your fingers are) instead of the top (Where it’s supposed to go out)