Iowa legalizes fireworks for consumers, finally!

The number of states where fireworks are illegal continues to shrink as Iowa recently legalized consumer fireworks for sale to consumers.  The state has been losing tax dollars to neighboring WI, MO and ND for decades.  The State Fire Marshall’s office says more than 500 permits have been issued to sell fireworks statewide and urges consumers to use common sense, and follow label warnings and instructions when using fireworks.  Iowa joins most recently GA in the legalization of consumer fireworks, where business is “booming” in the week before the 4th of July.  The passing of the bill also gives Iowa consumers the option to legally buy fireworks online and have them shipped directly to their homes.  US Fireworks reminds buyers that according to Consumer Product Safety Commissions statistics, most injuries are caused by small items such as sparklers, bottle rockets and firecrackers and in most cases by misuse.  Photo credit and more available HERE

Iowa Senate takes one step closer to legalize fireworks, met with opposition by Fire Marshal’s.

Over 80% of Iowa’s residents polled are in favor of legalizing fireworks in their state.  The Fire Marshal’s Association released a statement in opposition including statistically incorrect data such as “consumer fireworks are dangerous to transport, and store”

Our searches have found ZERO accidents from transporting consumer fireworks in the last decade, Zero instances of fireworks magically igniting and ZERO injuries in the few storage facility fires that have occurred nationwide.  There are MANY goods more dangerous than fireworks and it’s disappointing to see the association oppose something with little factual data to back their claims.

Crew launches biggest firework ever in the USA

In fact, in the entire Western Hemisphere.

A group of highly trained professionals worked for almost two years, for the 10 seconds of amazing color, fire and light created in the mountain skies over Steamboat Springs CO on February 7th 2017.

The shell had an amazing weight of over 1,100lbs and over 50lbs ob black powder was used to launch it into the atmosphere where it dazzled onlookers for miles and miles.

Here is a link to a video by USA today of this amazing firework! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSQtXMX2J8k

20,000 pounds of Illegal fireworks destroyed!   Local police in Midland Texas assisted the ATF and other departments in destroying 20,000 lbs of illegal fireworks.  No word as to the source of the fireworks or as to what type of fireworks they were.  From the video they appear to be mainly 1.3g professional fireworks.  In the NBC News link below at the end of the video you hear the reporters say “they should have saved them for the 4th of July” and “What a waste”  We agree…how about you?

NBS News Fireworks Article

Sad news in the fireworks industry today.

Entertainment fireworks in Washington State reportedly had an accident while some of their crews were prepping for an upcoming display, taking one life and injuring two others.  Entertainment fireworks has been in the business for decades with an excellent safety record and some of the most experienced operators in the business today.  In fact, they offered one of the more respected safety training classes in the western U.S. and have successfully fired many high profile displays.  As respected, active members in all facets of the pyrotechnic industry our heart goes out to those involved and we hope this serves as a harsh reminder to the thousands who will be working long days in the coming weeks with pyrotechnics to take ALL safety precautions.