Firefighters Warn Residents After Traumatic Fireworks Injury in Batavia

Over the weekend, a man in Batavia was treated for traumatic injuries related to the use of fireworks, prompting the Batavia Fire Department to issue a warning about the use of fireworks and the the dangers that go with them.

"Fireworks pose a threat any time of the year, but with the Fourth of July approaching, the likelihood of fire, injuries and death related to fireworks is greatly increased," said Batavia Fire Department Lt. John Lucas in a Tuesday-morning press release.

"Fireworks in private hands lead to accidents," Lucas said. "They cannot be made safe because they are designed to explode, burn or propel burning materials; as such, they are accidents waiting to happen."

Even seemingly harmless sparklers give off hot metal particles that reach 1,800 degrees. "Consequently burns occur, as do injuries to the eye, occasionally resulting in permanent blindness," Lucas said.

Fireworks are illegal within the city of Batavia through the adoption of the 2006 International Fire Code and Municipal Code 9-11-2. They also are illegal in neighboring communities, including North Aurora, Geneva and St. Charles.

The Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal has issued notice of the official ban of sky lanterns in Illinois.

"These items are also known as aerial luminaries or floating lanterns," Lucas said. "Because they are a type of balloon which requires fire underneath to propel, they are defined as fireworks under the Fireworks Regulation Act of Illinois.

The Batavia Fire Department is asking residents to adhere to the law and not purchase or use any fireworks products—including sparklers, smoke bombs, snake pellets or any other device containing combustible or explosive compounds.

The best way to enjoy fireworks this season is to attend a professional public fireworks display.  

The Batavia Sky Concert fireworks display takes place at 9:30 p.m. July 4 and is best viewed from Engstrom Park, Millview Drive and west Main Street.