THE ILLINOIS STATE FIRE MARSHALL’S OFFICE IS ASKING THE PUBLIC TO LEAVE FIREWORKS TO THE PROFESSIONALS.

LAST JULY, 44 MEDICAL FACILITIES REPORTED 168 FIREWORKS RELATED INJURIES IN ILLINOIS, INCLUDING 20 DISMEMBERMENT OR AMPUTATIONS. MORE THAN HALF OF THE INJURIES WERE TO THE HANDS AND THE MAJORITY WERE SECOND DEGREE BURNS SAYS FIRE MARSHAL SPOKESPERSON J-C FULTZ. HE ADVISES AGAINST USING FIREWORKS IN YOUR BACKYARD.

FULTZ, WHO NOTES THAT LAST JULY, 168 FIREWORKS-RELATED INJURIES WERE REPORTED IN ILLINOIS.

FULTZ REMINDS THAT ONLY NOVELTY ITEMS LIKE SNAPPERS AND POPPERS ARE LEGAL IN ILLINOIS. SOME COMMUNITIES HAVE EVEN BANNED SPARKLERS.