In just a few days, spectators throughout the country will lug their lawn chairs, blankets and families to a variety of fireworks spectacles.
And for Washingtonians, many of you might be preparing your plans for the annual Methodist Red White and Boom along the Riverfront.
However, many individuals each year take the show into their own hands and set off fireworks in the comfort of their own backyards.
While the number of firework-related deaths and injuries are down, it is still important to realize the danger is out there, and deaths occur each year.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported seven firework-related deaths in 2008, a slight decrease from 11 in 2007.
They also reported an estimated 7,000 injuries treated in U. S. hospital emergency departments during 2008, down from 9,800 injuries in 2007.
Illinois, along with Iowa, Maine, Ohio, Vermont, are the five states that only allow the use of sparklers and other novelty fireworks.
That means in Illinois, violators can experience fines.
According to the Illinois Depart of Natural Resources, anyone possessing, using, transferring or purchasing display fireworks without a valid IDNR individual explosives license or storage certificate is violating Illinois law.
In fact, a violation of the Illinois Explosives Act can be a Class 3 felony, with a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
So instead of trying out the explosives yourself, head down to the Riverfront on July 4.
It’s a safe way to experience the fireworks this holiday season, according to Rick Ward, assistant fire chief of the East Peoria Fire Department.
“It’s all out on the river,” he said. “No fireworks go over people’s heads.”
Ward said he worked the event last year, and one firefighter from East Peoria and Peoria inspect the barge on which the fireworks go off.
A licensed company, Melrose Pyrotechnics based out of Indiana, is in charge of this year’s show.
“We inspect them to make sure they are secured down,” he said.
