Manistique resident Doug Morrison, left, of Elkton Sparklers, checks out a purchase for Lonnie Sebeck on Wednesday as Sebeck's son, Trevor, looks over other selections. Elkton Sparklers is located in the parking lot of Delta Plaza Mall on North Lincoln. (Daily Press file photo from July 3, 2003)

The following piece was published in the Daily Press on July 3, 2003.

ESCANABA — Setting off fireworks might add a few sparks to holiday picnics, but carelessness could fuel disaster.

OSF St. Francis Emergency Department Manager LeeAnn Messimer said the hospital staff primarily encounters injuries caused by fireworks around the Fourth of July. Injuries obtained range from minor and major face and finger burns to amputations. Most amputations are to fingers, Messimer said. Those injuries occur when people light fireworks and hold them in their hand, especially if the firework has a short fuse.

“They hold on to [the fireworks] for too long,” Messimer said.

She added people are sometimes wounded from shrapnel when something is blown up. However, most injuries seen in the emergency room are casued from people who make their own fireworks, Messimer said. Producing homemade fireworks is illegal.

There are several other restrictions designed for personal use of fireworks. Escanaba Public Safety Captain Al O’Dell said firecrackers, bottle rockets and sky rockets are among fireworks illegal to use personally.

“Pretty much anything that shoots up and goes bang is illegal,” O’Dell said. “Sparklers and some things that smoke are legal.”

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