City has short fuse when it comes to fireworks
Police, fire take zero-tolerance stance; will be issuing citations
Nearly 40 percent of fireworks injuries are injuries to children age 15 and under, according to the 2014 fireworks injury report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. North Royalton takes a strict, zero-tolerance policy when it comes to fireworks. File photo by BOB MOREHEAD
NORTH ROYALTON – The police and fire departments are urging residents to reconsider any backyard fireworks displays they have planned for their Fourth of July festivities.
Fireworks, though fun and patriotic, always come with an underlying risk to residents, their property, even first responders, add in alcohol and it can be an explosive combination.
But it’s not solely a safety standpoint. Though available for purchase in the state, setting them off here is still prohibited. Firework specialty stores legally sell fireworks, but the buyer must agree to take the fireworks out of the state within 48 hours.
The North Royalton Police Department has long taken a strict stance when it comes to illegal fireworks with a zero-tolerance policy. Anyone caught discharging them or even possessing them is cited. No warning. Possessing and discharging illegal fireworks is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable up to six months in jail and up to $1,000 in fines.
If legally purchased fireworks are found inside state boundaries, the buyer/user, regardless of age, can not only be charged for illegal use but also for perjury for stating other intentions at the time of purchase.
Fire Chief Bob Chegan said no one is immune when it comes to the risk, even North Royalton. His hope is that people will see the stats and think twice about using fireworks.
“A report by the Consumer Product Safety Commission states that 11 people died in 2015, and an estimated 11,900 were taken to the hospital with firework-related injuries. About 67 percent of those injuries occurred in the 30 days before and after the Fourth of July celebrations,” he said. “All of the deaths and many of the serious injuries were a result of either gross misuse of the products or use of illegal fireworks and could be preventable.”
Bottle rockets, cherry bombs, firecracker M-80s, M-100s, Roman candles, Chinese lanterns and aerial salutes are all illegal.
Most anything that can be purchased at a drug store or grocery store is completely legal. Sparklers, smoke bomb novelties like snakes and party poppers are allowed. Sparklers and novelties are safer but still require adult supervision.
For those who want to see a real fireworks show, there are plenty of firework displays throughout the area to choose from, and North Royalton will have its own firework display at dusk on Aug. 20 as part of the annual community festival.
Officials say it’s best to leave fireworks to the professionals.
“It’s dangerous. Just leave it up to the professionals. There are places you can go to see a display,” Safety Director Bruce Campbell said. “It’s all about safety. People that aren’t professional, a lot times, are mixing it with alcohol and that’s a recipe for disaster. Go to the big displays.”
Fireworks, though fun and patriotic, always come with an underlying risk to residents, their property, even first responders, add in alcohol and it can be an explosive combination.
But it’s not solely a safety standpoint. Though available for purchase in the state, setting them off here is still prohibited. Firework specialty stores legally sell fireworks, but the buyer must agree to take the fireworks out of the state within 48 hours.
The North Royalton Police Department has long taken a strict stance when it comes to illegal fireworks with a zero-tolerance policy. Anyone caught discharging them or even possessing them is cited. No warning. Possessing and discharging illegal fireworks is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable up to six months in jail and up to $1,000 in fines.
If legally purchased fireworks are found inside state boundaries, the buyer/user, regardless of age, can not only be charged for illegal use but also for perjury for stating other intentions at the time of purchase.
Fire Chief Bob Chegan said no one is immune when it comes to the risk, even North Royalton. His hope is that people will see the stats and think twice about using fireworks.
“A report by the Consumer Product Safety Commission states that 11 people died in 2015, and an estimated 11,900 were taken to the hospital with firework-related injuries. About 67 percent of those injuries occurred in the 30 days before and after the Fourth of July celebrations,” he said. “All of the deaths and many of the serious injuries were a result of either gross misuse of the products or use of illegal fireworks and could be preventable.”
Bottle rockets, cherry bombs, firecracker M-80s, M-100s, Roman candles, Chinese lanterns and aerial salutes are all illegal.
Most anything that can be purchased at a drug store or grocery store is completely legal. Sparklers, smoke bomb novelties like snakes and party poppers are allowed. Sparklers and novelties are safer but still require adult supervision.
For those who want to see a real fireworks show, there are plenty of firework displays throughout the area to choose from, and North Royalton will have its own firework display at dusk on Aug. 20 as part of the annual community festival.
Officials say it’s best to leave fireworks to the professionals.
“It’s dangerous. Just leave it up to the professionals. There are places you can go to see a display,” Safety Director Bruce Campbell said. “It’s all about safety. People that aren’t professional, a lot times, are mixing it with alcohol and that’s a recipe for disaster. Go to the big displays.”