Don’t Blow Up The Night: Levittown-Area Towns Issue Warnings About Fireworks

Boom. Pop. Crack.

For many parts of the Levittown area, the nightly chorus of fireworks bothers neighbors and raises the stakes that an accident will happen. Numerous residents have reported on neighborhood forums and to this news organization that some weekends seem to have more bursts from fireworks than residents have recalled in past years.

While no major fireworks accidents or blazes have been reported locally so far this year, dealing with explosives always increases the chances of injury or fire.

If you think you’re hearing fireworks more often than not, you might not be imagining things.

Slate reported that 2020 is expected by retailers to be a banner year for fireworks sales. Big sales, pent up demand due to COVID-19-related stay-at-home orders, cancellation of many traditional July 4th displays, and more liberal fireworks laws (like those in Pennsylvania) are likely to blame for the increase in activity.

“Sales have gone up ever since Memorial Day and the pandemic, and people are just wanting to be outside and see some fireworks,” Marielle LaMonica of All American Fireworks in Bensalem told 6abc last month.

Since the fireworks laws have been relaxed in the state, local fire marshals and police department’s have reported an increase in complaints, especially around Memorial Day and July 4th.

Bristol Township Manager Randee Elton penned a recent letter to residents where she noted that fireworks “in every direction” can be heard in the community nightly. She urged residents to think of neighbors and friends trying to sleep for work the next day, kids who are jolted awake, veterans who may have post traumatic stress disorder, pets who are upset by the noise, and emergency crews who may have to respond to fireworks-related calls.

“We are asking our residents to please suppress the desire to celebrate with fireworks except for those days which have been appointed and scheduled for celebration,” she said.

Nationwide, there were 10,000 injuries and 12 fireworks-related deaths last year. A total of 73 percent of fireworks injuries happened between June 21 and July 21, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Sparklers are the largest cause of fireworks injuries. Half of sparkler injuries hit kids young than five years of age.

The Pennsylvania State police have highlighted the following rules for lighting off fireworks:

• They cannot be ignited or discharged on a public or private property without express permission of the property owner.
• They cannot be discharged from or within a motor vehicle or building.
• They cannot be discharged toward a motor vehicle or building.
• They cannot be discharged within 150 feet of an occupied structure.
• They cannot be discharged while the person is under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, or another drug.

Falls Township police warned that citations will be issued and start at $1,000.

“Be safe this 4th of July and leave the fireworks to the professionals,” they warned.

Middletown Township has sent staff from the fire marshal’s office around to try to educate people about fireworks-related dangers.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission offers the following tips if you’re going to light of fireworks:

• Never allow young children to play with, or ignite, fireworks, including sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit—hot enough to melt some metals.

• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy, in case of fire or other mishap.

• Light fireworks one at a time, then move away quickly.

• Never try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Soak them with water and throw them away.

• Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Move to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.

• Never point or throw fireworks (including sparklers) at anyone.

• After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding the device to prevent a trash fire.

• Make sure fireworks are legal in your area, and only purchase fireworks that are labeled for consumer (not professional) use.

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