VIDEO: Fire Marshal Highlights Dangers of Illegal Fireworks

With the Fourth of July holiday just days away, the Office of the Washington State Fire Marshal has launched a campaign to warn people about the dangers of fireworks.

It's not the kind of typical fireworks many people buy that are the biggest danger. It's the under-the-table explosives and illegal fireworks that could take off an arm, a leg or more.

Fireworks are banned in the city of Woodinville. In unincorporated King County, they may be used only on July 4 from 9 a.m. to midnight.

Retail fireworks stands officially opened in Washington state Tuesday, June 28.

State Fire Marshal Chuck Duffy and other state officials held a demonstration Friday to show the public how dangerous fireworks can be.

"The goal to celebrate safely is something we're constantly working on," Duffy said. "Personal fireworks require personal responsibility. There is much that can be done to protect children and others from fireworks injuries."

Explosives Enforcement Officer Brennan Phillips and several other explosives technicians from the FBI and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives demonstrated the mishandling of fireworks using a pair of mannequins and wooden stands.

Phillips tested several kinds of illegal fireworks such as tennis ball bombs, cardboard m80s, CO2 canister explosives, sparkler bombs, quick fuses and overloaded rocket-type explosives. The mannequins finished the drill in pieces.

“We see a handful of injuries each year, but fortunately in Woodinville’s fire district they’ve been fairly minor injuries,” said David Weed, community services officer for .

Last year statewide, there were 414 fires reported by fire departments related to fireworks as well as 162 injuries reported by hospital emergency rooms, according to the Fire Marshal's Office. 

Of those 162 injuries, 50 involved children under the age of 14. The fire incidents alone represented approximately $2.1 million in property loss.

Despite the damages, this represents a 53 percent reduction in incidents from 2009, when there were 1,236 incidents.

With a forecast for three dry days leading up to the holiday and high temperatures expected to reach the upper 70s Monday, there’s a potential for grass and brush fires, Woodinville’s Weed said.

The department also usually sees some roof fires as fireworks land on cedar shake roofing, he said.

"If everyone uses fireworks responsibly, we can have a more fun Fourth of July," said Jerry Farley of the Fireworks Industry Commission. "If you're going to buy fireworks, buy them at a legal, licensed stand. It makes no sense for someone to use fireworks in a dangerous place."

Weed said the biggest safety tip for consumers is to “leave the fireworks to the professionals” and go see an organized display. (Check back later this week for a list of area shows.)

For more safety information and videos from Woodinville Fire and Rescue, click here.