Sheriff reminds public that some fireworks are still illegal

Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia wants everyone to have a great Fourth of July weekend and to stay safe.

New York changed the laws about fireworks, but some items are still prohibited and are all dangerous.

While sparklers, party poppers, and small fireworks are legal, items such as bottle rockets, aerial displays, firecrackers, and larger exploding devices such as M-80s,  “cherry bombs,” and larger explosives are illegal.

Annually, emergency rooms treat over 10,000 firework-related, and about a third of those injuries are children under 15 years old. Among the reported injuries, many are caused by handheld displays such as sparklers. Sparklers reach 1,200 degrees, similar to a welding stick, and cause severe injuries, including third-degree burns.

Sheriff Garcia recommends that residents leave the fireworks to the professionals and relax while celebrating our nation’s birthday.