This holiday weekend is a long one, giving people everywhere ample opportunity to stock up on all manner of fireworks from not-at-all sketchy roadside vendors conveniently situated near the state border. But are you actually allowed to set off those Big Bang Boomers and Star Spangled ‘Splosions, or are you limited to staring into the glinting abyss of a sparkler, hoping to recapture the simple joys of youth? [More]
fireworks
Don’t Use These Recalled Fireworks & Other July 4th Safety Tips
By 6.27.17 — Updated: 6.30.17
Each year, tens of thousands of people are injured in fireworks accidents. While these incidents can occur when someone is ill-trained in setting off the brightly colored explosives, they can also be the result of defective products, such as the 36,000 TNT Red, White, & Blue Smoke fireworks now under recall. [More]
Woman Accused Of Choking Girl For Blocking Her View During Disney Fireworks Show
By 4.7.17
It can be frustrating to have someone blocking your view during an exciting moment like a fireworks show. But that doesn’t mean you should resort to violence if someone is in your way. [More]
Which Fireworks Are Legal In My State?
By 7.1.16
Aside from a pair of federal-level regulations on certain types of fireworks, what you can or can’t set off this Fourth of July weekend will depend on which state you’re in. [More]
Listen To A Guy With Experience Talk About Fireworks Safety
By 6.30.16
This holiday weekend, many Americans will no doubt be in the mood to celebrate Independence Day with brightly colored fireworks that go “whiz!” and “bang!” and make us all proud we got rid of the British early on. But no matter how fun fireworks can be, they can also be very, very dangerous. To bring that message home, New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul is sharing the story of how he lost part of his hand in a firework accident [More]
Study Spoiling 4th Of July Fun Says Fireworks Release Harmful Particulates Into The Air
By 6.30.15
Just in time for the Fourth of July comes some news that might put a damper on your celebrations: A new study says exploding fireworks create toxic air pollution that could be harmful to your health. Happy Independence Day, everyone. [More]
Watch Texas Law Enforcement Blow Up 20,000 Pounds Of Illegal Fireworks
By 3.18.15
Though the people who bought a whole bunch of illegal fireworks never got to see it happen, their ill-gotten products have gone BOOM! in the end, anyway: Officials in Texas recently destroyed about 20,000 pounds worth of confiscated fireworks, bringing them to the end they were always destined to meet. [More]
Which Fireworks, If Any, Are Legal In My State?
By 7.2.14
Like many kids whose families made biannual treks down I-95 to Florida, I used to beg my mom to please let me stock up on all the brightly colored and colorfully named fireworks you could buy at places like South of the Border. And every year on July 4th, I’d still be stuck with my stupid sparklers while the kids down the block set off their Fiesta Bombs and Earth Shakers. But hey, at least I wasn’t breaking the law, no matter how awesome it would have been. [More]
Add “Setting Off Firecrackers” To List Of Things Never To Do In A Crowded Movie Theater
By 3.11.14
We all know not to even yell “fire!” in a movie theater — but to actually create an explosion by setting off homemade firecrackers, especially in light of deadly movie theater shootings in recent years, that’s just really an awful thing to do. [More]
Can I Legally Light Off Fireworks In My State? What About Sparklers?
By 7.2.13
Though some of you will mark the July 4th holiday by illegally tossing cherry bombs off your roof, we know that most of you want to do things the safe and legal way. Of course, the particulars of what you’re allowed to set off depends a lot on where you live. [More]
Which Fireworks Are Banned In My State And Where I Can Light Off The Good Stuff?
By 7.3.12
Tomorrow we celebrate the birth and continued independence of these fifty, nifty United States of America, almost all of which have very different, very specific fireworks laws. So before you go lighting that fuse in remembrance of our founding folks, it couldn’t hurt to learn whether or not you’ll get in trouble for lighting off that really expensive fireworks package you bought at South of the Border during your drive to Disney World — or even that sparkler you picked up at a convenience store the other day. [More]
We Are Not Shocked That Most People Injured By Fireworks Get Hurt Around The 4th Of July
By 7.2.12
Obvious or not, when it comes to fiery objects it’s always better to be extra safe than sorry, right? But in case you weren’t sure when there would be a large surge in fireworks-related injuries, a survey from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission found that most fireworks injuries happened during the month of the July 4th holiday. [More]
Fireworks Can Explode Both Plastic And Flesh Humans
By 7.1.11
Those wild and crazy folk over at the CPSC blew up a bunch of mannequins with fireworks on a public lawn in DC to showcase the danger of improperly using fireworks, using illegal fireworks and using professional fireworks when you are not a professional. Here’s the disturbing video. And if you’re a sick puppy, here’s the safety demonstration set to the 1812 overture. Instead of becoming like one of the disfigured humanoids in the video, here’s a few safety tips you can follow: [More]
Know Your State's Fireworks Laws
By 7.4.10
How did America’s birthday become synonymous with blowing sh*t up? We assume it has something to do with Francis Scott Key — or maybe it’s just that a lot of people think blowing sh*t up is really, really cool. But you probably don’t want to spend July 4th in jail, so you may want to learn a little about the hodgepodge of state fireworks laws — or just skip the DIY stuff and let someone else burst their bombs. [More]
How To Take Better Pictures Of Fireworks
By 7.3.10
If you’re planning on snapping some pictures of fireworks this weekend, you may want to take a look at these tips from Consumer Reports first. While CR’s tips may seem most applicable to DSLRs, it’s possible to get decent fireworks shots with “advanced” compacts. The key: manual controls. Or you can just set the camera to its built in fireworks mode, and be done with it.
No, Your Dog Does Not Want To Watch Fireworks And Drink Margaritas At The Beach
By 7.3.09
Consumer Reports is always ruining my fun. First, they want me to make sure that the fireworks I set off in my backyard are safety certified. Whatever. Now they’re telling me that I shouldn’t bring my dog to see fireworks with me. AND that I shouldn’t give her any beer, or even let her help herself to the barbecue this weekend.
Recession Is The Grinch That's Stealing Independence Day Fireworks
By 6.17.09
Hoping to snap out of your recession-borne funk by kicking back and enjoying some fireworks July 4? If so, you’d better hope you don’t live in one of the 40 locales that have canceled their fireworks celebrations due to budget concerns.
Arizona May Legalize Fireworks, Putting Fools Throughout The State In Grave Danger
By 3.20.09
Consumer-grade fireworks are currently illegal in Arizona, but the sate government is considering passing a bill that would give the fire marshal the power to regulate the sale of them. This has caused an outcry from anti-fireworks types who say that even the less powerful consumer-grade products are too dangerous. Unfortunately, one of the most publicized opponents is a guy who was severely burned in 2004 because he was launching mortar-style fireworks from his moving car, and one blew back in through the window and set his stash on fire.
