Officials caution this July 4th: "Leave fireworks to the professionals"

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Officials caution this July 4th: "Leave fireworks to the professionals"

By JOLEEN FERRIS

Story Created: Jul 3, 2008 at 2:13 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jul 3, 2008 at 2:13 PM EDT

WHITESBORO - Fireworks will light up the skies this weekend in honor of the Fourth of July, but local fire officials are warning: leave the light shows to the professionals.

Whitesboro Police already confiscated fireworks from someone in the village. The Vice-President of the Firemen's Association of New York says this is a good time to remind everyone that it's illegal to own fireworks in New York State.

In his career, he's seen good reason why private use is prohibited.

"In my term as Chief, I fought one fire up on the hill here where bottle rockets landed on a wooden roof and caught the roof on fire in the middle of a night and the fire actually burned from outside into the house," said David Jacobowitz.

New York is one of only five states that bans the use of fireworks by consumers.

The National Fire Protection Association says more fires are reported on July 4 than any other day of the year.

Wednesday, Jul 9 at 8:44 AM xplodem wrote ...

anyone notice that most of the states that ban fireworks are the states that fought and won the american revolution, so that the other states which didnt even exist at the time, could allow consumer fireworks? something really weird going on here.

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Tuesday, Jul 8 at 1:30 PM Mike Beano wrote ...

I have a gas leak and nothing has burned down !

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Monday, Jul 7 at 10:11 PM Candles, right wrote ...

While I'm sure we lose more homes due to candles, (again probably because fireworks are illegal and only a summer thing) however, you stand a scant chance of losing your home because your neighbor lit a candle, not the same if their bottle rocket hits your roof and smolders...

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Monday, Jul 7 at 11:39 AM Good old NYS wrote ...

yeah, key words Only one of 5 states. NY knows whats the best for its residents. Mr Patterson, can you ban mouse traps? too many people getting there fingers caught in them. lets only let professional "Orkin Men" use them

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Friday, Jul 4 at 2:00 PM John wrote ...

I have 500.00 worth of fireworks and I intend to use them all. I hate having to drive to the "shows" only to deal with the crowds, rowdy people, etc. Also, by doing my own "show" i get to participate in the fun, not just watch it.....

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Friday, Jul 4 at 1:29 PM Right wrote ...

Peter Parker is Spiderman. He has his thumbs. Good try.

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Friday, Jul 4 at 9:56 AM Peter Parker wrote ...

I blew my thumbs off a few years back...Try doing certain things without your thumbs if you know what I mean

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Friday, Jul 4 at 9:13 AM FIRE CRACKER happy 4 th wrote ...

look at all the fires in utica and they have nothing to do with fire works. what the heck is going on down there any way. everything is burning down.

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Thursday, Jul 3 at 10:24 PM Parkway wrote ...

LOL HaHa. Yea its a dirty job but someone has to do it =)

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Thursday, Jul 3 at 10:00 PM Anonymous wrote ...

There are alot of dangerous (yet legal) things of there. More houses burn down due to candles, gas leaks and arson...then fireworks! Are they gonna outlaw candles??? Good God...leave it alone. Ya just gotta be smart and sober. Keep the kids at a distance and have a good time!

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Thursday, Jul 3 at 9:46 PM Faxton wrote ...

I wish people would follow this advice. People launch them off dangerously close to my house. They're so blatant it's seems obvious the police are doing nothing about it.

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Thursday, Jul 3 at 7:19 PM why not wrote ...

I agree to let the professionals handle it... when I was a kid I watched my best friends house catch on fire thanks to a wayward firecracker that one of our neighbors shot off.

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Thursday, Jul 3 at 3:58 PM Right wrote ...

Every year they trot out the same tired expression. Leave it to the professionals. New york State---The most restrictive state in the union.

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Thursday, Jul 3 at 3:54 PM Haha wrote ...

Nothing like a snitch "Parkway"! Way to be!

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Thursday, Jul 3 at 2:29 PM Parkway wrote ...

yeah well someone should tell this to the person that lives in the upper St Agnes, Clementian area. For the past three years they have done fireworks until late at night from around July 1 to mid July.

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Thursday, Jul 3 at 2:28 PM New York wrote ...

should allow fireworks, imagine the tax on a pack of lady fingers

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