LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim June 2015, as Fireworks Safety Month in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official
months that are set aside to increase awareness of serious issues that
affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to memori-
alize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 2015, as Fireworks Safe-
ty Month in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, A U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) study high-
lights an increase in the number of fireworks-related deaths and inju-
ries; device malfunction and improper use are associated with the most
injuries; and
WHEREAS, In 2013, there were eight deaths and an estimated 11,400
consumers who sustained injuries related to fireworks; this is an
increase from 8,700 injuries in 2012; 65 percent, or 7,400, of the inju-
ries in 2013 occurred in the 30 days surrounding July 4, 2013; and
WHEREAS, CPSC staff reviewed fireworks incident reports from hospital
emergency rooms, death certificate files, news clippings and other
sources to estimate deaths, injuries and incident scenarios; injuries
were frequently the result of the user playing with lit fireworks or
igniting fireworks while holding the device; and
WHEREAS, CPSC has reported that nearly half of the reported injuries
due to fireworks typically occur in people under 20 years old, while 30
percent of the injuries typically involve children under age 15; and
WHEREAS, In 2013, children younger than age five experienced a higher
estimated per capita injury rate than any other age group; past reports
indicate that consumers sometimes feel comfortable handing off to chil-
dren fireworks devices perceived to be less powerful, such as sparklers
and bottle rockets; and
WHEREAS, Fireworks incidents become deadly when banned, professional
and home-manufactured devices are involved; in each of the eight fire-
works-related deaths recorded in 2013, the victim was manipulating (or
was a bystander to someone who was handling) a banned, professional or
home-manufactured device; and
WHEREAS, The State of New York adopted into law an Act that provides
for sale, possession, and use of certain consumer fireworks in the State
of New York outside of New York City, upon approval of local govern-
ments; and
WHEREAS, Consumer-bought fireworks which burn at around 2,000 degrees
Fahrenheit, can cause very serious injuries and burns; and
WHEREAS, As Americans get ready to celebrate Independence Day, this
Legislative Body continues its commitment to educate the public of the
importance of Fireworks Safety in an effort to ensure safe celebration
on the Fourth of July; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 2015, as Fireworks
Safety Month in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause further to request all New
Yorkers attend a professional public display instead of igniting consum-
er fireworks; and to those individuals who decide to purchase consumer
fireworks, never let young children play with fireworks of any type, and
those who handle the fireworks, as well as bystanders, wear protective
eyewear that meets parameters set by the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI); and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.