GUILDERLAND CENTER — “Leave the fireworks to the professionals,” said State Fire Administrator James Cable on Tuesday.

He spoke at a press event held in the Northeastern Industrial Park at the state’s Office of Fire Prevention Special Operations Center where a series of demonstrations showed the dangers of fireworks.

A cone fountain was lit too close to a mannequin, catching his pants on fire; a remote-controlled pretend pet dog got near a device and was injured; and a handheld device was dropped on dried grass and burned.

“Every year, there are nearly 12,000 fireworks-related injuries, several deaths, and 19,000 fires that are attributable to fireworks — and they are all preventable,” said Cable.

In New York state, he said, sparkling devices are legal. “These are devices that spark, smoke, make a whistling sound — nothing that projects or has a projectile up in the air, or explodes,” he said.

The state law limits the type, size, and construction of sparkling devices and requires that these devices must be hand held or mounted on a base or spike and be limited in sizes that range from 1 to 500 grams of pyrotechnic composition.

However, while most of the state allows sparkling devices, Albany County does not.

Sale and use of sparkling devices is legal in counties and cities that have not enacted a local law forbidding them, according to the webpage maintained by New York’s Homeland Security and Emergency Services.

The Office of Fire Prevention and Control has been notified that these counties have prohibited the sale and use of sparkling devices: Albany, Bronx, Columbia, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange (prohibited in the cities of Middletown and Newburgh only), Queens, Richmond, Schenectady, Suffolk, and Westchester.

Albany County reversed its 2016 vote in 2020 when it decided to prohibit sparklers. That year, the Albany Police Department, says the county’s website, received 895 calls for fireworks, an increase of over 300 percent compared to 2019. In addition, the police had to respond to calls from residents who had mistaken sparkling devices and fireworks for gunshots.

The Albany County Legislature voted, 33 to 5, to prohibit the use and sale of sparkling devices defined as ground-based fireworks such as the cylindrical or cone fountains and wooden sparkler/dipped sticks.

Any person who uses a sparkling device in Albany County can be issued a fine up to $500 and any individual who sells or furnishes a sparkling device to another person can be charged with a misdemeanor, punishable with a fine of $1,000 and 15 days in jail, the county law says.

On Tuesday, Cable stressed, “Children should not be allowed ever to ignite fireworks.” Three-hundred-and-sixty-four days a year, he said, children are told not to play with fire. “And on July Fourth, we hand them a sparkler.”

Sparklers burn at a temperature between 1800 and 3000 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Ben Keller, branch chief of fire and life safety from the Office of Fire Prevention and Control, conducted the demonstrations on Tuesday.

As a cone fountain hissed, catching the mannequin’s pants on fire, Keller said, “The gentleman was unaware the device was placed too close to him … Always make sure you have proper clearance.”

He called the burn injury “significant” and said, “It may actually be fatal.”

Keller also cautioned that anyone using drugs or alcohol should not handle fireworks.

As a remote-controlled plush puppy got too close to a device, Keller cautioned against leaving pets or children unattended near fireworks.

“As you can see,” he said, “unsupervised pets and sparking devices don’t mix.”

Keller went on, “We always recommend that you have either a bucket of water, a fire extinguisher, or a hose nearby just in case something goes wrong.”

Once the fireworks display is over, Keller said, “Dispose of devices in a metal container with a lid somewhere away from your house. Make sure the devices are soaked in water.”

He noted that sparkling devices cannot be handled by anyone younger than 18.

“Lastly,” he said, “we have alternatives for children.” He suggested homemade sparklers, which don’t actually light, could be made from pipe cleaners.

“That way,” said Keller, “the children can feel like part of the action.”

Albany fireworks

The 47th New York State Fourth of July Celebration will take place on Tuesday, July 4, from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Empire State Plaza.

The free program includes live music by the “Queen of Percussion” Sheila E. and by sibling rockers Jocelyn & Chris, food and beverages for sale, family-friendly activities, and a naturalization ceremony for new citizens.

A list of rules from the Office of General Services includes no alcoholic beverages other than those sold on site by authorized vendors, no coolers or glass containers, no animals or pets except for service animals, and no personal fireworks or sparklers.

Audio and/or video recording of any artists’ performances is prohibited. Anyone intending to purchase or consume alcohol should be prepared to present proof of age.

Free parking is available in the V-Lot and all P-Lots under the Empire State Plaza, and in Grand Street and Elk Street lots. No tickets are needed.