How dangerous are fireworks? Local firefighter highlights safety

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH)- Capt. Michael Pruitt lined up five hot dogs on a box Friday before using a firecracker to blow them to smithereens.

The Wayne Township firefighter used the hot dogs to demonstrate the danger of fireworks. On Friday, the firecracker only blew up lunch. But Pruitt said he’s seen much worse.

“We’ve shown up and people are severely injured, missing parts of their fingers from where they mishandled a firework,” he explained.

Last year, a local restaurant owner suffered a second degree burn from a firework mishap.

Doctors at IU Health treated 23 people last year for fireworks-related injuries, including 10 at Riley Hospital for Children.

“Obviously, we’re very concerned for their well-being, but they missed our message somewhere along the line,” Pruitt said.

The message? Keep kids away from fireworks, keep a bucket of water nearby, light fireworks away from buildings and cars, don’t point them at people, don’t drink alcohol when using fireworks and find a way to keep the fireworks from tipping over and shooting in the wrong direction.

Safety concerns aren’t stopping people from filling their carts with bottle rockets and roman candles. Salesman Tyler O’Riley, who works at Patriotic Fireworks on the west side, said sales are better than ever this year.

Employees said they’re telling customers about one of their top sellers: mortar shells.

“People always come in here asking for the biggest bangs and this guy right here is the biggest bang,” he said while pointing to a box.

Pruitt used a mortar shell Friday to blow up a watermelon.

Pruitt learned firework safety the hard way at the age of six when a short-fused firecracker went off near his head. Every year, his firefighter test shows a hearing deficiency.

“Doctors have told me more than likely that’s related to a firework going off in my ear.”