BERWYN, PA - The Berwyn Fire Company wishes you and your family a safe July 4th holiday. Please take a moment to review some safety information from our colleagues at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Fireworks during the Fourth of July are as American as apple-pie, but did you know that more than twice the number of fires are reported on that day than on any other day of the year in the United States? Two out of five of these fires are caused by fireworks.

The good news is you can enjoy your holiday and the fireworks, with just a few simple safety tips:

• Leave fireworks to the professionals. Do not use consumer fireworks. Consumer fireworks include sparklers and firecrackers. The tip of a sparkler burns at a temperature of more than 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot enough to cause third-degree burns.

• The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public display conducted by trained professionals.

• If you do use consumer fireworks, please DO NOT pick up fireworks that may be left over, they still may be active. This is especially important to tell children.

Facts & Figures

• Fireworks start an average of 19,500 fires each year, including 1,900 total structure fires, 500 vehicle fires, and 17,100 outside and other fires.

• U.S. hospital emergency rooms treat an estimated 9,100 people for fireworks related injuries; 50% of those injuries are to the extremities and 34% are to the head. Children younger than 15 years of age account for more than one-third (36%) of the estimated annual injuries.

• The risk of fireworks injury was more than twice as likely for children ages 5-9 when looking at relative risk based on population totals of each age group.

• On Independence Day in a typical year, far more U.S. fires are reported than on any other day, and fireworks account for two out of five of those fires, more than any other cause of fires.

PA Fireworks Law FAQ

On October 30, 2017, a new fireworks law went into effect which allows for more dangerous fireworks to be purchased by the public. While the Berwyn Fire Company advises not to purchase fireworks of this type, we want you to be safe if you do by following these parameters set forth in the law.

What are the restrictions on where they can be used?

· They cannot be ignited or discharged on a public or private property without express permission of the property owner.
· They cannot be discharged from or within a motor vehicle or building.
· They cannot be discharged toward a motor vehicle or building.
· They cannot be discharged within 150 feet of an occupied structure.
· They cannot be discharged while the person is under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, or another drug.

You can visit the Pennsylvania State Police website for additional information at http://www.psp.pa.gov/public-safety/pages/fireworks-safety.aspx