The Fourth of July holiday is rapidly approaching, and with it, the annual fireworks shows. Although sparklers and similar items can be bought and sold in much of New York State, the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) urges New Yorkers to leave these devices to trained professionals. Instead, FASNY encourages New Yorkers to attend one of the many professional fireworks displays offered throughout the State.
All fireworks, including sparkling devices, are extremely dangerous. Despite their toy-like appearances, sparklers can seriously harm their users. The tip of a sparkler burns at a temperature of approximately 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, which can cause severe burns. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), sparklers cause roughly 25 percent of all fireworks-related emergency room visits, the most of any type of fireworks-like device.