To the Editor:
Fireworks related injuries are at an all-time low which makes a strong case for changing the old and out-dated consumer fireworks laws in this state to provide for sensible and regulated use of all consumer fireworks.
In 2008, fireworks related injuries reported by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission dropped to 7,000, a reduction of over 28 percent from the year before and a reduction of 44 percent in the last 15 years since 1994.
1994 is a very relevant year because that is when the American Fireworks Standards Laboratory (AFSL) began its Quality Improvement Program, which includes the testing of the consumer fireworks products at the factory level in China before the products are permitted to be exported to the U.S. If the products fail the AFSL testing, they cannot be exported to America. Phantom Fireworks is one of the founding members of the AFSL.
In 1994, 117,000 pounds of fireworks were imported into the U.S. and that amount almost doubled to 213,000 pounds in 2008. When you factor in usage, based on injuries per 100,000 pounds of fireworks used, the fireworks related injuries actually dropped from 10.7 injuries per 100,000 pounds of fireworks in 1994 to 3.3 in 2008, a reduction of over 69 percent. That is seriously impressive.
The norm with consumer products is more use results in more injuries. Consider such products with which risk is associated such as ATVs, Jet Skis, trampolines and the like, and the result is undisputed that increased injuries occur with increased use. Not so with consumer fireworks where use has increased and injuries have decreased.
Indiana legalized the regulated use of all consumer fireworks in 2006 and the result, in addition to more tax revenue and more employment for Indiana residents, is an amazing reduction in fireworks related injuries over the three seasons. For 2006, the Indiana Dept. of Health reported 251 fireworks related injuries. That reported number dropped to 156 in 2007 and to 141 in 2008. Legalization of the products actually resulted in safer use through education and public service announcements.
The consumer fireworks safety record and greatly improving injury statistics are manipulated and misrepresented by anti-fireworks ground intended on taking away one more freedom from citizens in this country – the freedom to celebrate our heritage of independence with fireworks. The facts are undisputable. Fireworks related injuries have decreased when fireworks use has significantly increased.
Future second U.S. President John Adams suggested on July 3, 1776, in a famous letter to his wife, Abigail, that Independence Day “ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade…bonfires and illuminations (fireworks) from one end of this continent to the other, from this day forward forevermore.”
It is time to write or e-mail your state legislator and ask that the state legislature reconsider the out-dated consumer fireworks laws. Tell your legislator you support the right to celebrate freedom with fireworks in the spirit of John Adams and that you support the sensible and regulated use of all consumer fireworks.
Please enjoy the Independence Day holiday with your family and celebrate safely.
William A. Weimer
Vice President
Phantom Fireworks
Youngstown, OH
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