Nassau County officials staged a dramatic demonstration before July 4th, highlighting the dangers of illegal fireworks.
In a series of action-movie-style simulations, they destroyed cars, mailboxes, and even a rotisserie chicken to make their point clear.
“Please don’t use illegal fireworks,” County Executive Bruce Blakeman urged reporters at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow.
Each year, he noted, injuries like lost fingers or sight occur, making the risk not worth taking. He added, “We will arrest you.”
Before Independence Day, authorities showcased commercial-grade fireworks which are legally obtainable in nearby states like Pennsylvania, demonstrating them for the media.
Bringing these fireworks into New York, according to Blakeman, is illegal and the dangers posed can stem from sparks igniting unexpectedly.
The simulation involved igniting fireworks in the trunk of an old car, illustrating the potential chaos.
Officials equated the destruction of the chicken to the damage inflicted by mishandling fireworks, suggesting the harm is similar.
They also highlighted the risks associated with igniting mailboxes, a mischief commonly perpetrated by teens, especially when “mortar” is involved.
Lt. Col. Ken Strigaro of the Nassau County Bomb Squad, involved in setting up the demonstrations, stressed that these explosives should only be handled by professionals. He also discarded some improperly disposed items to illustrate the dangers.
Deputy Fire Commissioner Kevin Smith shared that fireworks have caused multiple home fires in Nassau County over the last five years.
During the press event, Smith issued a stern warning about sparklers, emphasizing they can burn up to 3,000 degrees—dangerous enough to require medical attention for even the slightest contact.
“Let’s not hand sparks to our kids,” he advised. “We wouldn’t give them welding rods, so why think sparklers are safe?”
