They couldn’t be more emphatic in urging people not to set off their own fireworks this year. A doctor from the Stony Brook Burn Center described the serious injuries—many involving children—that they see every Fourth of July weekend. To drive the point home, officials even blew up a vehicle, comparing the explosive force to that of bombs and grenades.
In a dramatic display at the county’s Fire Rescue and Emergency Services (FRES) training facility in Yaphank, officials detonated an SUV packed with illegal fireworks to demonstrate the explosive power of what some casually ignite in their backyards. The blast sent a fiery plume into the sky, rattled the ground, and left the vehicle a scorched metal shell, underscoring the message that fireworks are not toys—they’re dangerous explosives.
“We want people to enjoy themselves over the holiday, not get their hands blown off,” said County Executive Ed Romaine, who spoke alongside emergency officials, Suffolk Police, and leaders from the fire and EMS communities. “There are plenty of shows conducted by professionals—go to one of those, enjoy yourselves, stay safe.”
The Catholic Health Amphitheater at Bald Hill, Port Jefferson Village, Jones Beach, and the Macy’s fireworks in New York City are just a few of the sanctioned options Romaine suggested. “You can even stay home and watch the fireworks on television,” he said. “There’s no need to put your life at risk, or your family and neighbors, by blowing off illegal fireworks.”
At the center of the safety appeal was Dr. Steven Sandoval, Medical Director of the Suffolk County Volunteer Firefighters Burn Center at Stony Brook University Hospital, who treats the aftermath of fireworks mishaps every year, many involving children.
“Sprinklers handed to kids are especially dangerous,” Dr. Sandoval said. “They burn hot enough to melt metal.” The burn center, which usually sees one or two patients daily, spikes to more than a dozen during the holiday weekend. “The quickest way to meet me is to use one of these illegal products,” he warned.
“Let’s keep the burn doctor not busy,” Romaine stressed.
Suffolk Legislator Dominick Thorne, a veteran emergency responder, emphasized the toll nationwide. “Each year, more than 14,000 people are injured by fireworks, and dozens are killed,” he noted. “Lighting them off is not a good idea. It’s not worth killing yourself, or a family member, or a friend.”
FRES Commissioner Rudy Sunderman urged residents not to mistake fireworks for harmless fun. “This is not a backyard game. Fireworks are explosives, and when used illegally, they become weapons,” he said. “We’ve seen homes burned down, people maimed, even lives lost because someone wanted to put on their own show.”
Sunderman praised the volunteer firefighters and EMS crews in attendance for their dedication and readiness. “They’ll be out there, like always, answering calls and risking their own safety to protect others,” he said. “Let’s not make their job any harder. Leave the fireworks to the professionals.”
Suffolk Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina noted that officers will actively pursue illegal fireworks displays and arrest those violating the law. “Don't ruin a great holiday by blowing yourself up,” the commissioner warned.