“Be safe. If you want to see fireworks, go to a public show put on by experts.”
That advice comes from the National Fire Protection Association, a worldwide organization known for its fire, electric and other life-safety codes.
“We take their position,” said Rodney Kwiatkowski, West Manatee Fire Rescue inspector.
WMFR provides fire and emergency response and advocates fire safety for Anna Maria Island and the unincorporated areas of Cortez, Palma Sola and Northwest Bradenton.
Kwiatkowski added “hundreds of young people” are injured each year by fireworks.
Blake Medical Center director of emergency services Kevin Forsythe reported an increase in fireworks-related trauma over the Fourth of July.
“The majority of injuries seen on the Fourth are hand injuries,” said Dr. Michael VanVliet, Blake’s burn care unit medical director.
M-80s and other exploding devices are the “most devastating,” he said, adding they will explode in unpredictable directions and earlier than expected.
Depending on the degree of the injury, the hand surgeon said he’s seen hand, digit and forearm amputations.
He criticized the uncontrolled nature of spewing devices, even sparklers, saying they will cause clothes to ignite and serious burns.
“It can’t be stressed enough,” VanVliet said, “fireworks have to be done by a professional.”
“Where we see problems is on the beach,” said WMFR Chief Tom Sousa.
“Because of all the other people on the beach, there’s an increased risk of incidents when people are shooting them off on their own,” he added.
WMFR plans to distribute fliers at Anna Maria Island accommodations, churches and other assemblies, Sousa said.
State and county laws limit fireworks and, without a permit, devices that explode or propel in the air are outlawed.
And while sparklers and non-exploding novelties may be legal, that doesn’t mean they’re not dangerous.
Sparklers reach 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, higher than the temperature water boils, wood burns, cakes bake and glass melts, according to the NFPA.
WMFR Firefighter/Inspector Keith Miller said sparklers become illegal when combined to make what he called a “sparkler bomb.”
Common novelties — such as sky lanterns, a small hot air balloon made out of paper, and roman candles — also are illegal.
An offender faces a maximum $1,000 fine and up to a year in jail.
Over the holiday, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, which polices the city of Anna Maria, and Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach police will be confiscating and disposing of illegal fireworks.
Sousa said the fire district oversees the public displays and can shut them down if winds are greater than 15 mph.
The island’s only organized fireworks display will begin after dusk July 4 at the Sandbar Restaurant, 100 Spring Ave., Anna Maria.
The Beach House Restaurant in Bradenton Beach canceled a planned July 3 show.
A message on its website states, “With the best interest of our community’s environmental protection in mind, we have decided once again to cancel our July 3rd fireworks display to protect the rare and endangered shorebirds on the beach nearby.”