Fireworks Safety Tips
If Handling Legal Sparkling Devices, Priority Number One is Fire Safety
Albany, July 3, 2026 Governor Kathy Hochul today urged New Yorkers to prioritize safety as they prepare for the July 4th holiday and the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Fireworks pose a significant risk, causing thousands of injuries each year, particularly among young people. These accidents are most common in the weeks surrounding the July 4th holiday.
Common causes of fireworks-related injuries are:
- A firecracker with a fast fuse explodes before it can be thrown.
- A misguided rocket strikes a bystander.
- Someone approaches a firecracker when it has not yet exploded.
In 2024, according to data from the National Fire Protection Association, fireworks started more than 34,000 fires, including 3,246 structure fires, 857 vehicle fires, 29,517 outside fires, and 459 unclassified fires. These fires caused $98 million in direct property damage.
Posted: July 3rd, 2026 under Adirondack Region News, America 250 Events, Arts and Entertainment, Community Events, Education News, Fire Department News, General News, National News, Northern NY News, State Government News.