Most fireworks shows are now canceled in Western New York, so people are bringing the celebration home.
“With a ying there's a yang. In our case, since there aren't many public displays anymore, people are going to want to do backyard fireworks,” said William Weimer, Vice President of Phantom Fireworks.
This 4th of July, we'll be celebrating America's independence and more.
“But also the freedom that we're experiencing now as we break away from the pandemic restrictions,” said Weimer.
He said sales have increased across the country. Tents haven't even opened yet in New York.
“We are seeing as a result of this a tremendous amount of increase in business. We're astonished. We are so far ahead of our numbers last year,” Weimer said.
While sales are up, so is the importance of safety. Something as small as a sparkler can actually do serious harm because of how hot they get.
“Even sparklers that burn at 1000 degrees. You wouldn't let your children run around with a lit book of matches,” Weimer said.
“If you are anywhere near your eyes and get burned, it'll leave a 3rd degree burn. If a sparkler a child is holding touches their skin or anywhere else’s,” said New York State Trooper James O’Callaghan.
New York has strict firework restrictions for safety reasons.
“A lot of it is sparklers, like fountain devices, things that emanate a lot of color. That's what you're limited to when it comes to New York,” Trooper O’Callaghan said.
Sparkling devices are legal.
“Those devices considered as fireworks that fire up… have the explosion, those are the things that are dangerous and are still illegal in New York,” Trooper O’Callaghan said.
Sparkling devices will be for sale in New York from June 20th to July 5th.
