HFD emphasizes danger
of fireworks
Star-Bulletin staff
"Leave fireworks to the professionals," the Honolulu Fire Department strongly recommends.
With fireworks on sale on Oahu from tomorrow until 9 p.m. on July 4, the Fire Department stresses caution, reminding prospective users that fireworks can be dangerous, causing serious burns and eye injuries.
Safety tips offered for fireworks use include:
Use only approved fireworks from a licensed retail outlet that has posted its retail permit at its selling site.
Always read and follow all warnings and instructions listed by the manufacturer for the safe use and handling of fireworks.
Ensure that other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.
Light fireworks only on a smooth, flat surface away from houses, dry leaves and flammable materials.
Have a garden hose or bucket of water ready in case of fire.
Children should use fireworks only under the direct supervision of an adult. Even sparklers can be dangerous to small children.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that each year, 8,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with fireworks.
About 55 percent of the fireworks-related injuries are burns, and most of the burns involve the hands, eyes and head.
Nearly 40 percent of the victims are under age 15.
A special study of fireworks-related injuries found that firecrackers, rockets and sparklers caused the bulk of emergency room-treated injuries from fireworks during the study period.
The Fire Department warns that it is against the law to:
Remove or extract pyrotechnic contents.
Throw any ignited fireworks from a moving vehicle.
Set off fireworks in the vicinity of health care facilities and facilities for animals.
Set off fireworks by schools.
Set off fireworks on public ways, in parks, cane fields or places of worship.
Use aerial fireworks unless the Fire Chief issues a public display permit.
Also, it is unlawful for:
Any person without a permit to set off, ignite, discharge or otherwise cause to explode any fireworks within 500 feet from any hotel, which shall include Waikiki.
Any person to offer for sale, sell or give any fireworks to minors, and for any minor to possess, purchase or set off, ignite or otherwise cause to explode any fireworks, except that parents or guardians may allow a minor to use fireworks while under the immediate supervision and control of an adult.
Penalties for violations are:
Any person importing aerial common fireworks or special fireworks into the state without first having obtained a license shall be guilty of a Class C felony, punishable by a fine not to exceed $10,000 or imprisonment not to exceed five years or both.
Any person violating any other provision of Chapter 132D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall be guilty of a petty misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 30 days or both.
