GREENSBORO, N.C. — The Fourth of July is coming up! You know what that means: grilling, pools and lots of loud, explosive, dangerous fireworks.
2 Wants to Know spoke to Greensboro Fire Department Fire and Life Safety Educator Matt Groseclose.
Check out his demonstration of lighting a sparkler in the video above.
He also shared answers to common questions about fireworks.
WHAT FIREWORKS ARE LEGAL IN NORTH CAROLINA?
Legal fireworks in the state of North Carolina are those that DO NOT explode and DO NOT shoot up into the air. That means fireworks like bottle rockets, Roman candles, firecrackers and aerial fireworks are all illegal.
WHAT IS THE FINE FOR THE PURCHASE OF ILLEGAL FIREWORKS?
Anyone who purchases illegal fireworks risks a $500 fine and a misdemeanor offense.
WHAT IS ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS TYPES OF LEGAL FIREWORKS?
This may surprise you, but it's actually sparklers. It’s not because they’re shooting towards you- it’s the temperature. Sparklers burn between 1,200 and 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE INJURED FROM FIREWORKS?
The Office of the State Fire Marshal says in 2019, 149 people went to the emergency room for fireworks-related injuries in the state of North Carolina, with nearly 2/3 of these occurring in the month of July. Nationwide, more than 9,000 people went to the emergency room in that same year.
HOW SHOULD FIREWORKS BE DISCARDED?
Similar to ashes, fireworks should be put in a metal receptacle and NOT in a plastic trash can. You can even soak them in water until the time of their disposal.
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