{"id":36915,"date":"2017-06-30T18:02:05","date_gmt":"2017-06-30T22:02:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=36915"},"modified":"2017-06-30T18:02:05","modified_gmt":"2017-06-30T22:02:05","slug":"city-stresses-fireworks-safety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thevalleyledger.com\/?p=36915","title":{"rendered":"CITY STRESSES FIREWORKS SAFETY"},"content":{"rendered":" <\/p>\n
Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, Police Chief Glen Dorney and Fire Chief Lee Laubach urge city residents and visitors to obey fireworks laws and take the proper safety precautions over the Independence Day holiday.<\/p>\n
At an afternoon news conference in City Council chambers, Pawlowski said, \u201cWe want people to enjoy the holiday, but we want them to do it safely and be mindful of the safety of their neighbors\u2019 and their neighbors\u2019 property.\u201d<\/p>\n
It is estimated that some 11,000 persons will make hospital emergency room visits from fireworks this year, most right around the July 4th holiday.\u00a0 According to the U.S Consumer Products Safety Commission, 31-percent of the injuries suffered last year were to children under the age of 15.\u00a0 Fireworks will also be the cause of thousands of dollars in property damage.\u00a0 Pawlowski said, \u201cLet\u2019s leave the fireworks to the professionals.\u00a0 I invite everyone to come out to watch the fireworks show at J. Birney Crum Stadium Sunday night.\u201d<\/p>\n
An ordinance amended by city council in 2005 sets the parameters for the use of fireworks in the city.\u00a0 In general, small novelties like party poppers, caps and sparklers are permitted in the city.\u00a0 So-called \u201cconsumer fireworks\u201d like firecrackers, bottle rockets and Roman candles are illegal in Pennsylvania.\u00a0 Fireworks commonly known as M-80\u2019s or \u201cBlockbusters\u201d are banned in the United States.<\/p>\n
Fireworks are a violation of the city\u2019s noise ordinance\u2026The use or firing of explosives, fireworks, firearms, or similar devices which create impulsive sound so as to cause a noise disturbance across a real property boundary or on a public right-of-way, without first obtaining a variance.\u00a0 It is a SWEEP ticket offense that carries a $100 fine.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur police officers will be vigilant in enforcing our fireworks ordinance to the best of their ability,\u201d said Dorney.\u00a0 \u201cWe don\u2019t want people spoiling their holiday by paying a fine or ending up in custody.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI have seen the injuries to people and the damage to property caused by fireworks,\u201d said Laubach.\u00a0 \u201cEven devices like sparklers should be used safely and only by adults or under adult supervision.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope and pray that our people will obey the law and use what fireworks are legal with great care.\u00a0 Let\u2019s do our part to try to reduce the injury statistics in 2017,\u201d said Pawlowski.
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\nMike Moore
\nCommunications Manager
\nMayor’s Office
\n 435 Hamilton Street
\n Allentown, PA 18101
\n Mike.Moore@allentownpa.gov
\nhttp:\/\/www.AllentownPA.gov
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