Nassau County Launches Explosive Fireworks Safety Campaign Ahead of Independence Day

In anticipation of the July 4th celebrations, Nassau County officials orchestrated dramatic demonstrations to highlight the dangers of illegal fireworks. Using an action-movie-inspired setup, they blew up a car, a mailbox, and even a rotisserie chicken to illustrate the potential destruction caused by these devices.

“Every year we hear about injuries—people losing eyes or fingers,” said County official Bruce Blakeman. “It’s not worth risking — we will arrest anyone caught using illegal fireworks.”

Officials explained that blowing up the chicken was akin to a firework detonating in a human hand, emphasizing the severe risks. They also destroyed a mailbox to demonstrate how dropping a mortar inside could cause significant damage. Lt. Ken Strigaro of the Nassau County Bomb Squad likened fireworks to low-level bombs, stressing that only trained professionals should handle them and that they should be used in controlled environments.

In a grim reminder of fireworks’ potential hazards, officials set off fireworks inside an old car trunk, which instantly erupted into flames, underscoring the danger of improper handling and disposal.

The campaign also addressed the risks posed by sparklers, which can reach temperatures of 3,000 degrees. Authorities urged parents to keep sparklers away from children, comparing their use to wielding a welding rod in a child’s hand.

Deputy Fire Commissioner Kevin Smith revealed that over the past five years, 20 Nassau homes have burned down due to fireworks, with five incidents in just the last year—often because remnants are improperly discarded while still hot or active.