Leave the Show to the Pros!

According to Richmond Fire and Emergency Services, fireworks cause an estimated 18,500 fires each year in the United States. Hospital emergency rooms see in excess of 10,000 people for fireworks-related injuries each year. Sparklers, which can reach temperatures of 2,000 degrees, account for more than 1/4 of emergency room fireworks injuries. Over 50 percent of fireworks injuries occur with people under the age of 20. As we approach the Fourth of July and other summer celebrations, please remember:

• Don’t handle fireworks. At all. This includes sparklers.
• Don’t attempt to alter or modify fireworks.
• Don’t allow children to pickup spent fireworks.
• Don’t forget that you can be held legally and financially liable for injuries cause by using fireworks.

It’s a violation of Richmond City code to store, expose for sale, sell at retail, or use or explode any fireworks except at a permitted event with the display handled by an approved, competent operator. Leave the fireworks to the pros.