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John Hollenhorst ReportingJuly is just around the corner and that means fireworks can't be far behind. They're just starting to go on sale now, and that means the annual concerns are back about wildfires and injuries.
A lot of the fireworks stands are just starting to get in business. Fire officials say if you buy here in Utah, you should be okay. But, from the standpoint of fires, injuries and even jail time, buying out of state can get you in a lot of trouble.
Firefighters are bracing for the annual onslaught of fireworks. Northern Utah fire conditions range from moderate to high, but with summer heat, it's getting worse. And it's already worse down south.
Last year, fireworks were blamed for 62 fires in Utah, and that's considered a relatively good year. Experts think Utah's relatively tough restrictions on fireworks help keep the problem under control.
Ron Morris, State Fire Marshal: "And our motto has been for the last several years, if you didn't buy them in the state of Utah, please don't light them in the state of Utah."
Fireworks are not permitted if they explode or shoot higher than fifteen feet or sideways more than ten feet. They're also discouraged or banned in undeveloped areas and foothill areas where the threat of wildfire is high.
Ron Morris: "So try to keep them down in the valley where the potential for that's not as high."
But many national health and safety organizations are campaigning for NO fireworks use at all. Injuries are trending upwards; nationally, now pushing above ten-thousand injuries a year.
At LDS Hospital they've put up a bulletin board for the trauma staff who usually see 10 or 20 cases each July. Injuries are typically caused by kids mishandling sparklers or people approaching fireworks that seem to have fizzled out.
Mary Pugh, N.P., LDS Hospital Trauma Program: "And they go up to it and it suddenly explodes. So we see some facial minor burns and some eye injuries. And can be potentially scary and can possibly even lead to losing eyesight."
There are stiff penalties if you get caught with illegal fireworks, up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. But the main pitch of the experts is, if you use fireworks, use only legal ones, use common sense and keep a close watch on the kids.
