Leave the fireworks to the professionals this Fourth of July

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is reminding organizations and individuals sponsoring fireworks displays in Illinois to be sure their fireworks vendor has the required state licenses and certificates issued by IDNR and the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) before their fireworks show.

The Illinois Explosives Act requires that anyone who purchases, possesses, uses, transfers, stores or disposes of explosives, including display fireworks, must have an explosives license and explosives storage certificate issued by the IDNR.

Licensing and storage requirements administered by the IDNR do not apply to consumer fireworks (classified as 1.4 explosives). Approved consumer fireworks are regulated by the OSFM and are permitted only in villages, counties and municipalities that have passed ordinances allowing such displays. Consumer fireworks may be purchased and displayed only by adults who have obtained permits from their local jurisdiction. Handheld fireworks, including firecrackers, roman candles and bottle rockets, are not approved for sale or use in Illinois.

In addition to requiring comprehensive licensing, training and examination for individuals, the law requires that unattended display fireworks and explosives must be stored in an explosives magazine, storage facility or container that is inspected and certified by IDNR.

A total of 2,164 individuals currently are licensed to use explosives in Illinois; of those 686 are specifically for the use of display fireworks. There are 764 certified explosives storage magazines in Illinois containing nearly 40 million pounds of explosives. Of those storage magazines, 106 are certified specifically for the storage of display fireworks.

Anyone possessing, using, transferring or purchasing display fireworks without a valid IDNR individual explosives license or storage certificate is violating Illinois law and could incur penalties. A violation of the Illinois Explosives Act can be a Class 3 felony, with a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. In addition, IDNR can assess administrative fines for violations involving display fireworks and other explosives.

According to the National Fire Protection Association fireworks started 32,302 fires in 2023, including 3,760 structure fires, 849 vehicle fires, 27,252 outside fires, and 441 unclassified fires. These fires caused an estimated 15 civilian deaths, 58 civilian injuries and $142 million in direct property damage. These fires are not only caused by commercial/consumer fireworks, but also by unregulated novelty fireworks that are sometimes purchased at local supermarkets.

In addition to fireworks, novelties such as sparklers, snappers, and poppers are dangerous. Sparklers account for the greatest number of fireworks injuries, and often to the youngest victims. Sparklers burn hotter than 1,200 degrees - hot enough to melt many metals and turn steel glowing red. An instantaneous touch of this will cause a burn and may result in permanent damage or scarring.

"Each July Fourth, thousands of people, many of them children and teens are injured while using consumer fireworks," said Illinois State Fire Marshal Michele Pankow. "Far too often, people underestimate the dangers associated with fireworks. What may seem like a harmless celebration can quickly result in devastating burns, serious injuries, fires, and even death. We encourage everyone to leave fireworks to the professionals and make safety a priority this Independence Day. Choose safer alternatives such as glow sticks or silly string instead of sparklers or other novelty fireworks."

During the July seasonal reporting period, 44 hospitals and facilities reported a total of 152 injuries. There were no fatalities reported during the 2025 reporting period. Healthcare facilities reported 101 persons having been injured by fireworks during the 2025 seasonal reporting period. Approximately 50% of all injured persons suffered multiple injuries.

The reported injuries were related to a wide variety of fireworks with "Mortars" (35%) listed as the most frequent type of fireworks or pyrotechnic effect involved in injury. This was followed by Roman Candles (14%), Sparklers (10%) and Bottle Rockets (7%). The type of injuries reported were associated with various other effects including Salutes (4%) and Firecrackers (4%). Nearly half of all injuries affected hands (20%), fingers (15%), and head/face (13%). Second degree burns were the leading type of injury at 23% followed by lacerations (18%). First degree burns accounted for 13% of the injuries and abrasions at 9%.

To report an explosives incident or accident concerning display fireworks, contact the IDNR Office of Mines and Minerals, Explosives and Aggregate Division at 217-782-9976 and the OSFM at 217-785-0969.

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