The annual Fourth of July festivities held across the nation earlier this month included activities such as parades, hot dog eating contests, and backyard barbecues.
The highlight of the holiday for a majority of Americans is the chance to watch fireworks displays at night.
Although most people will gather at a public park to watch a display run by their city or village officials, some decide to purchase their own fireworks and shoot them off on their own property.
While it was once illegal in many parts of the country to purchase any fireworks other than ground-based devices, handheld sparklers, or novelty items such as snakes, party poppers, and snaps, a number of states have since changed their laws.
Iowa recently joined Wisconsin, Michigan, Kentucky, Indiana, and Missouri in allowing for the sale of fireworks.
Illinois currently prohibits the sale, possession, and use of almost all consumer fireworks.
Violation of the state’s ban is a Class A misdemeanor that carries a fine of up to $2,500 and up to a year in jail time.
State Representative Allen Skillicorn (R-Crystal Lake) has introduced House Bill 3852 to legalize fireworks in Illinois.
“Americans spend a lot of money on fireworks, and right now our current prohibition on fireworks puts our towns and communities near the state border at a competitive disadvantage,” Skillicorn said. “My legislation would help us keep some of these sales and the tax money they generate in Illinois for a change.”
Recently passed laws in Illinois double its motor fuel tax from 19 cents to 38 cents per gallon and raise the cost of a pack of cigarettes from $1.98 to $2.98.
While the money from the motor fuel tax will be used to pay for a massive capital construction plan, the money from the increased price of cigarettes will be used to pay for construction projects at schools, colleges, and other facilities.
“Illinois must become competitive with surrounding states such as Wisconsin, Indiana and Missouri and allow fireworks,” Skillicorn said. “The gas tax increase and the tax hike on cigarettes will drive people to make purchases in surrounding states. For businesses in communities along the Illinois border, there is going to be a substantial drop off in sales. Allowing businesses to sell fireworks is a small way these businesses can make up some of the lost revenue they will experience as a result of the tax increase on motor fuel.”
In debating whether or not to legalize the sale and use of fireworks, it is important to remember that fireworks can be extremely dangerous if not handled correctly.
According to the National Safety Council, “eight people died in 2017 and over 12,000 were injured badly enough to require medical treatment after fireworks-related incidents. Of these, 50 percent of the injuries were to children and young adults under the age of 20. Over two-thirds or 67 percent, of the injuries took place from June 16 to July 16. And while the majority of these incidents were due to amateurs attempting to use professional grade, homemade or other illegal fireworks or explosives, an estimated 1,200 injuries were from less powerful devices like small firecrackers and sparklers. Fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires each year, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and nearly 17,000 other fires.”
Sparklers can be more dangerous than most people expect. According to the National Safety Council, they burn at about 2,000 degrees, a temperature hot enough to melt some metals and quickly ignite clothing.
The National Fire Protection Association noted that “sparklers alone account for more than 25 percent of emergency room visits for fireworks injuries. For children under five years of age, sparklers accounted for nearly half of the total estimated injuries.”
