New Law Rectricts Firework Purchases in Tipton County

According to The Covington Leader, on June 26, 2007 a new law restricting firework purchases in Tipton County was passed.

With the 4th of July drawing near, firework stands are popping up along road sides all across Tipton County, TN. However, this year the firework vendors are going to have to pay much closer attention to who they allow to purchase fireworks at their stands. The new law which takes effect on July 1, 2007 requires firework vendors to refuse to sell fireworks to anyone under the age of 16 years old. A photo ID will be required to prove your age when you purchase fireworks. The previous law allowed children as young as 10 to purchase fireworks.

This new law passed close to the largest firework holiday in the United States is to help protect the children in the area from being harmed by fireworks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2005 almost 11,000 people were treated for firework related injuries. Four of the people treated for firework related injuries died. More than half of those injuries occurred surrounding the 4th of July holiday. Even more shocking is the fact that during the month surrounding the 4th of July holiday 45% percent of the injuries happened to children age 14 and younger.

Fireworks can cause a variety of injuries. Burns are the most obvious firework injury. However fireworks have also been the cause of injuries leading to blindness and also permanent scarring. Not all burns caused by fireworks are minor, even the most serious third degree burns can be caused by fireworks.

Most firework injuries can be easily prevented with proper safety procedures. Munford and Atoka, two neighboring cities in Tipton County, have posted firework safety guidelines on their fire department website. You can also see these tips listed in my article titled "Firework Safety Tips from the Fire Chief."

The consequences for selling fireworks to a child under the age of 16 will be $100 for the first offense, $250 for the second offense, and $500 for any additional offenses. Even though it will be a bigger hassle for vendors to have to check identification for their younger customers, the safety of the children in the Tipton County and the surrounding area is of utmost importance. Fireworks are a large danger and preventing children under the age of 16 from purchasing fireworks may help to prevent some fireworks related injuries.

Sources:
Munford/Atoka Fire Department - http://www.munford.com/pdf/Summer_Safety_Tips2007.pdf

CDC - "Fireworks-Related Injuries" - http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/fworks.htm

The Covington Leader - "Remember the Rules this 4th of July" - http://www.covingtonleader.com/search.php?search=fireworks&what=all&relation=older&length=&unit=days