Hinsdale Fire Department: Leave Fireworks to Professionals

The following is a release from the Hinsdale Fire Department:

The and urges residents to use caution when attending public fireworks displays and to stay away from recreational use of all fireworks. In Illinois, it is illegal to possess, purchase or use consumer fireworks without a consumer display permit obtained from local authorities. Individuals caught with controlled consumer fireworks in Illinois, who lack the necessary consumer display permit, could be subject to arrest.

If you attend a fireworks display with your family, do not allow your child to pick up pieces of fireworks after an event. Some may still be ignited and can explode at any time. Statistics show that over 7,000 people each year get treated for Fourth of July related accidents. Don't be one of them. Stay safe this year.

The following statistics were reported in Illinois last year:

• 196 people were injured by fireworks in Illinois
• 39 people suffer first-degree burns
• 60 people sustained second-degree burns
• 19 people suffered serious lacerations
• 28 suffered abrasion
• 89 children between the ages of 6 and 21 were injured
• 2 people were fatally injured (both victims were unlicensed and using illegally obtained fireworks)

According to the National Council of Fireworks Safety, careless use of fireworks causes nearly 10,000 injuries a year in the United States; close to 2,000 of those injuries are eye-related involving children under age 15.

Sources: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

If you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to contact the Village Fire Department at (630) 789-7060 or fire@villageofhinsdale.org.