Sparklers aren’t the safe alternative you think. What California firefighters want you to know
As a major heat wave approaches Northern California with temperatures soaring into the triple-digits, Fourth of July revelers — especially those with children — are advised to take caution as they consider including sparklers among firework festivities.
An estimated 11,500 firework-related injuries were reported in 2021, a 25% increase from 2006, with 73% of those injuries being sparkler-related accidents, according to a report released by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The highest recorded number of firework-related injuries was reported in the previous year, 2020, with an estimated 15,600 cases.
Capt. Parker Wilbourn, a spokesman for the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, said severe burn injuries were the most common type of sparkler-related accident.
“Potentially, it can become a flamethrower,” Wilbourn said. “They think it’s safer, so they take less precaution.”
Sparklers should stay out of the hands of children, according to both Wilbourn and the federal safety commission, even under adult supervision. These flaming wands of fire can burn up to 2,000 degrees, which is “hot enough to melt some metals,” the CPSC reported.
2,500 children under 14 hurt by fireworks annually
Around 9% of firework-related injuries, an estimated 800 cases, occurred in children under the age of 5 in 2021, and an estimated 1,700 cases were reported in children aged 5 to 14 years old, according to the CPSC. A list of alternative entertainment that are both child- and fire-safe provided by USA Today included bamboo sparklers, glow sticks, bubbles and party-poppers.
“Children should not be lighting fireworks at all,” Wilbourn said. “It’s not something we recommend.”
The fire captain said it’s best to avoid using sparklers within at least 30 feet of any combustible objects, including houses, cars, garbage bins, vegetation or any flammable objects. Sparklers should be extinguished in a metal bucket filled with water and soaked for 24 hours — plastic buckets are prone to ignite if a sparkler is not fully submerged. A hose should be readied in case of an accident, and Wilbourn suggested having a plan of action beforehand in case of a major accident.
“Sparklers are still incinerate devices. You have a significant amount of heat coming off that tip that potentially could cause burns,” Wilbourn said. “We’ve seen it.”
Fire danger greater with dry vegetation
Unincorporated parts of Sacramento County, which are patrolled by Metro Fire, often feature vegetation that’s perfect fuel for fast-moving fires. The rising heat combined with low-level humidity has made dry grass especially dangerous.
“All of our grass has gone from green to gold in the past couple of weeks,” Wilbourn said. “The vegetation is prime to burn — all it takes is one little spark.”
A safer type of sparklers-like device — commonly known as a Morning Glory — and other fireworks with the “Safe and Sane” seal are legal for non-commercial use in Sacramento County from June 28 through July 5.
Most Californians are familiar with the old-style wire-core sparklers, coated with pyrotechnic composition, which have been illegal in California since 1991, according to Dennis Revell, a spokesman for TNT Fireworks.
Revell said the Safe and Sane-sold Morning Glory devices are visually almost identical to a wire-core sparkler when lit, but burn at a much lower heat level and don’t leave behind a hot-wire core.
Legal fireworks purchased from a licensed vendor should display that Safe and Sane seal from the State Fire Marshall’s Office on its packaging. More than 150 booths that sell legal fireworks are available within Sacramento County, said Amy Nygren, a deputy fire marshal for the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District.
During July Fourth weekend and holiday, the Metro Fire Department has fully-staffed fire engines and trucks, ambulances and air operations should the need arise.
“The fire services, in general, call the week of the Fourth of July the Super Bowl for a reason,” he said.
Even then, Wilbourn said fire prevention is a community-wide effort, as a lot of these fires are preventable, and an overflow of calls can “freeze up” emergency resources. More information on firework safety can be found on Cal Fire’s public education website, readyforwildfire.org.
This story was originally published June 28, 2023 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Sparklers aren’t the safe alternative you think. What California firefighters want you to know."