Celebrating Our Independence, Safely

According to Prevent Blindness America (PBA), nearly 13,000 fireworks victims keep hospitals busy every year. More than half of those injured are children. Fireworks not only injure users, but also 40 percent of fireworks mishaps injure bystanders.

The three types of fireworks that keep hospital emergency rooms busy during this holiday period are bottle rockets, firecrackers, and sparklers. Bottle rockets and firecrackers can fly in any direction prior to exploding and sparklers burn at temperatures hot enough to melt gold. Sparklers are not safe for anyone; they can burn at temperatures hot enough to melt gold –– 1,800 degrees F. Parents should get out of habit (or avoid in the first place) of giving these handheld fire sticks to their children.

Also according to PBA, most fireworks contain gunpowder, which is what causes these devices to explode. Class C fireworks (firecrackers) are legal in many states and contain up to 50 mg of gunpowder. Anything higher and the fireworks may be compared to an explosive bomb.

Men and boys are the most frequent users of fireworks. That is why four out of every five fireworks injuries happen to males. Men between the ages of 22 and 44 and boys aged 12-14 are the most common victims.

Bottle rockets are among the most dangerous fireworks available today. They account for the majority of all fireworks injuries that lead to permanent eye damage. Bottle rockets can move as fast as 200 miles per hour, explode in midair, and fly in any direction.

Homemade fireworks are often more hazardous than anything purchased in a store or other supplier. Those who make their own fireworks tend to combine the chemicals from other devices to create a bigger –– and more dangerous –– explosion.

The cost of treating a fireworks injury far outweighs the cost of a single fireworks package, which is approximately $2. The average hospital emergency room charges approximately $80 for one visit. This does not include the cost families must pay for additional treatment or extended hospital stays, possible permanent injury, physical therapy, or blindness.

—courtesy Prevent Blindness America

Save yourself the potential for injury and heartbreak during the upcoming holiday weekend. Besides, Connecticut has outlawed all consumer fireworks. Why chance injury or jailtime?

Celebrate the birth of America while being safe: Pack a picnic, grab a cooler, spread a blanket, and enjoy an organized fireworks display with your friends and/or family.

Here is a list of many of the fireworks displays within our area, which in some cases include extended events before the pyrotechnics even begin.

Happy Independence Day!                                        —Shannon Hicks

 

June 27: 55th Annual P.T. Barnum Festival SkyBlast Party, Seaside Park, Park Avenue (main entrance is through Perry Memorial Arch), Bridgeport, dusk, weeks-long Barnum Festival’s final weekend will kick off with a bang; 203-367-8495, 877-4-BARNUM.

(Optional: The Fireworks SkyBlast Party, begins 7 pm, adult tickets $40, $12 for ages 12 and under, and include buffet dinner, beverages and DJ, and guaranteed great seating for the fireworks display at Seaside Park’s Bathhouse, reservations required; call 203-367-8495.)

June 27–28: Trumbull Day 2003, 72 Strobel Road, Trumbull, Friday 5–11 pm, Saturday noon-midnight, adm $5, kids in strollers free, carnival rides, arts and crafts, food, fireworks Saturday at dusk (rain date for fireworks only, June 29); 203-452-5000, www.TrumbullDay.com.

June 28: Danbury Fireworks, Candlewood Town Park, Hayestown Road, Danbury, 9 pm (rain date June 29); 797-4511.

June 29: Derby Day 2003 with Fireworks Finalé, Ryan Sports Complex, Chatfield Street, Derby, 12–9 pm, live music begins 12:45 and runs all day, also children’s entertainment, crafts, carnival rides, hay rides, pig racing (1 pm only), petting zoo, pony rides, more, fireworks by Zambelli Fireworks Internationale begin 9:15± pm; 736-1450.

July 2: Fireworks & Baseball Giveaway Night at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard, 500 Main Street, Bridgeport, game time is 6:35 pm, tickets $6–$18 (2-for-1 discounts for veterans, also discounts for students, children and seniors), Bridgeport Bluefish will be hosting the Somerset Patriots; 203-345-4800 x150 or www.BridgeportBluefish.com.

July 3: Fireworks at The Annual Firemens Carnival, Quaker Farms School, Great Oak Road, Oxford, carnival runs through July 5 from 6 to 11 pm each night, fireworks on July 3 and July 5 at 9:45 pm; 203-888-3461.

July 3: Fireworks at Short Beach, 1 Dorne Drive, Stratford, performance by Atwood Express at 7, fireworks begin at dusk, admission is free for Stratford residents, $5/nonresident car; 203-385-4052.

July 3: Fireworks at Compo Beach, end of Compo Road, Westport, live music and marching bands begin at 6:30, picnics welcome, fireworks at dusk, tickets $30/car and must be purchased in advance, fundraiser for Westport PAL (rain date is July 7); 203-341-6000 (police department, non-emergency line), 203-341-5090 (Westport Parks & Rec Department).

July 4: Fireworks at Weston Middle School field, 135 School Road, Weston, live music begins 6:15 (Weston Community Band at 6:15, Straight Note Chasers at 7:30), fireworks at 9:20, cost is $5/adults, $2 ages 2–18; 203-222-2655.

July 4: Danbury Fair Mall Fireworks, launched from Danbury Municipal Airport, Backus Avenue, Danbury, fireworks at dusk, plenty of free parking (rain date July 7); 743-3247.

July 4: 41st Annual 3-D Fireworks, Quassy Amusement Park, Route 64, Middlebury, $7/car (admission into park and its rides extra), purchase special viewing glasses $1 each (to benefit Prevent Blindness Connecticut) will enhance display, without glasses fireworks will appear as normal; 203-758-2913 or www.Quassy.com.

July 4: 4th of July Celebration at Ridgefield High School, North Salem Road, Ridgefield, fireworks begin at dusk, fields open earlier for picnics, parking on the school grounds will only be available by presenting a parking permit, available at branches of Ridgefield Bank; 203-438-6518.

July 5: New Milford Downtown Business Alliance Independence Day Celebration, Fireworks & 50s Car Show, New Milford Green, Main Street, New Milford, activities begin 4:40 pm, parade featuring New Milford Music Center Marching Band and other groups steps off at 5, lots of live music, Woman’s Club of Greater New Milford will be assembling a giant cake (to be served to attendees), refreshments, car cruise and show, carnival, fireworks at dusk, rain date July 6.

July 5: “Celebrate America!” Ives Concert Park, WCSU Westside campus, University Boulevard, Danbury, performance by Hartford Symphony Orchestra begins 7:30 pm, special guests and patriotic music program with traditional fireworks finalé, tickets $36–$66 for reserved seats, $26/adult lawn seating, $11/child lawn; 837-9226, (TicketMaster) 744-8100.

July 5: Fireworks at The Firemens Carnival, Oxford, 9:45 pm, see event details under July 3.