Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service

An Internationally Accredited Public Safety Agency

NEWS ADVISORY
Richard Bowers, Fire Chief Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street, 12th Floor, Rockville, Maryland Assistant Chief Scott Graham, Public Information Officer Phone: 240-876-1260 Media line 240-777-2442 - @MCFirePIO IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 20, 2012

Press Conference:
Council of Governments Fire Chiefs Committee Fireworks Safety and Demonstration Thursday, June 21, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. Public Safety Training Academy: 9710 Great Seneca Highway, Rockville, MD. 20850
Special Note: The Montgomery and Prince Georges County Bomb Squads along with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) will be on hand as there will be a live demonstration of the dangers of fire works. Several explosive fire work devices will be shot off as well. Lots of good visuals! On Thursday, June 21, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. fire officials from the Washington Metropolitan Region will conduct a fireworks safety news conference and safety demonstration at the Montgomery County Public Safety Training Academy. The event will provide the media an opportunity to view legal and illegal fireworks. Area Fire Chiefs and Fire Marshals will be on hand to address the dangers associated with the use of illegal fireworks, and to show how fireworks are mishandled and improperly used. Fire officials from throughout the region will be available for comment and to answer any questions after the demonstration. Leave Fireworks to the Professionals! Our theme for this years Independence Day celebration is Leave Fireworks to the Professionals! Each year, locally and across the country, people of all ages are injured by fireworks both legal and illegal. As a matter of fact, 83% of the fireworks injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms involved fireworks that Federal regulations permit consumers to use.* Fire officials from across the Washington Metropolitan Region are encouraging people to attend professionally supervised displays, either on the National Mall in Washington or at a number of shows at counties, cities, towns, parks and other venues in the region. Some jurisdictions allow a variety of fireworks regulated by the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission. Legal devices in many of the surrounding jurisdictions include cones, sparklers, sparkling devices and novelties. Illegal fireworks include Roman candles, skyrockets, aerial shells with mortars, and firecrackers (Check with your locality). All fireworks are prohibited in some local areas, including Montgomery County (MD), Prince Georges County (MD) and the City of Alexandria (VA). -more-

Some interesting statistics:

In 2010, U.S. hospital emergency rooms saw an estimated 8,800 people for fireworks-related injuries. (Source: CPSCs NEISS) Half (52%) of the 2010 fireworks injuries were burns, while one-fifth (21%) were contusions and lacerations. Two of five (39%) people injured by fireworks were under the age of 15. Males accounted for 65% of the injuries. The risk of fireworks injury was highest for children ages 5-14 with more than twice the risk for the general population. Sparklers, fountains and novelties alone accounted for 43% of the emergency room fireworks injuries in 2010.

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend one of the many public displays. But if fireworks are legal in your jurisdiction, and you wish to use them, below are some safety guidelines to follow: Always read all warnings and instructions Only approved fireworks may be discharged. Do not permit young children to handle or light fireworks. (Sparklers can reach a temperature of 1800 degrees Fahrenheit) Prior to igniting fireworks, place them on a flat surface, clear of any combustible material and clear of all buildings. Never ignite fireworks while holding them. Keep a bucket of water or a hose handy in case of a malfunction or fire. Never try to relight fireworks that have not functioned properly. The safest way to prevent fireworks-related injuries is to leave the fireworks displays to the professionals.

A reminder for all Montgomery County residents that Fireworks are illegal in Montgomery County!
NOTE: As you enter the PSTA property, make your first right and precede straight back and park in that parking area. The Driver Training Facility, where the press event will take place, is straight through the gate and you should head to the building on the left once through.

* Stats provided by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

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