Point/Counterpoint: Fireworks
WITH THE FOURTH OF JULY just a few days off, it might be interesting to see how public safety organizations and pyrotechnics organizations view the often controversial issue of fireworks. The information used here is labeled as either a press release or a news release from NFPA and the American Pyrotechnics Association.
First, here’s information from NFPA: “Urging the public to stay away from what they say is an extremely dangerous product, national health and fire safety advocates joined District of Columbia fire officials at a press conference today (June 18, 2008) to denounce the use of consumer fireworks and launch new PSAs in advance of the Fourth of July holiday.
“DC Fire and EMS Chief Dennis Rubin, speaking at Engine 3, voiced his concern about the upcoming holiday, ‘Each year our firefighters battle blazes and respond to injuries that don’t need to occur. Fireworks in untrained hands are an accident waiting to happen.” Chief Rubin also expressed his disappointment that a recent proposal before the city council to ban consumer fireworks failed to pass. ‘Absent their action, the public should act by staying away from consumer fireworks.’”
To read more information from NFPA on fireworks, click here.
Here’s information from the American Pyrotechnics Association: “As July 4th approaches, consumers are visiting the thousands of fireworks retail establishments across the nation to stock up for their backyard Independence Day celebrations.
“According to the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA), backyard fireworks have never been more popular or more in demand. Since 2000, the use of backyard fireworks has more than doubled.
“In 2000, Americans used 102 million pounds of backyard fireworks. In 2007, Americans used over 238 million pounds!
Fireworks industry revenue soared to $930 million in 2007, with backyard fireworks sales representing $620 million. In comparison, in 2000, industry revenue reached $610 million with backyard fireworks sales representing approximately $400 million.
“The association attributes the significant increase in fireworks use to an upsurge of patriotism, as fireworks are historically a symbol of American Independence, and to an overall improvement in the quality and variety of fireworks available today.”
To read more information from the APA, click here.










