Wayne County Commission calls for tighter restrictions on fireworks

Published on July 24, 2023

With the July 4 holiday past – but Labor Day and other holidays approaching – Wayne County Commissioners have called on state officials to return to past restrictions limiting fireworks use.

"Specifically, we'd like to see a return to the normalcy that we had a few years ago," Commissioner Ray Basham (D-Brownstown Township) said in sponsoring the resolution. "The kind of fireworks being shot off by people today are louder and far more dangerous that what were previously allowed."

Michigan loosened its fireworks restrictions in 2012. While communities can set hours for fireworks use, they cannot ban the types of fireworks individuals can use.

"Some of these fireworks are especially dangerous in high-density communities like those we have in Wayne County and, of course, they are disturbing to pets," said Commissioner Sam Baydoun (D-Dearborn). "What we saw during the July 4 holiday with youngsters out on Ford Road shooting off fireworks is dangerous. We need to put a stop to this one and for all."

Citing national statistics, commissioners noted that some 10,200 individuals were treated for fireworks-related injuries last year, and that nearly 30 percent were under age 15.

Commissioners commended local law enforcement agencies for enforcing the limited restrictions currently in place but said they must be allowed to do more to protect the public.

A copy of the resolution follows:

RESOLUTION
By Commissioner Basham and Co-sponsored by Commissioners Anderson, Baydoun, Bell, Clark-Coleman, Clemente, Daub, Haidous, Killeen, Kinloch, Knezek, Marecki, Baker McCormick, Palamara and Scott

WHEREAS, Public Act 256 of 2011, known as the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act ("State Law"), which took effect January 1, 2012, legalized the sale, distribution and use of a wide variety of commercial-grade aerial fireworks that were previously prohibited in Michigan; and

WHEREAS, State Law restricts local government regulation of fireworks and prohibits them from regulating the sale, display, storage, transportation or distribution of fireworks but allows individual municipalities to regulate the use of fireworks within a specific timeframe; and

WHEREAS, as a result of State Law easing the restrictions on the type of fireworks sold in Michigan, more intense fireworks may be sold and operated. These previously prohibited commercial-grade fireworks often create loud explosions and flashing lights. Any of these sounds, sights or smells may serve as trauma reminders for veterans and may cue memories of combat or explosions causing distress; and

WHEREAS, household pets and wildlife feel the harmful effects of fireworks as many animals become frightened by the noise and commotion of fireworks and they run from familiar environments and become lost or, in many cases, fireworks can cause wild animals to run into roadways, resulting in more car accidents than normal. Wildlife rehabilitation centers are often inundated with traumatized, injured, and orphaned wild animals after July 4th, and

WHEREAS, since State Law legalized the more powerful consumer-grade fireworks, residents are launching them in communities within Wayne County. Neighbors feel and hear the explosions of these fireworks when ignited and often must clean up the aftermath of debris that has littered their yards, roofs, and neighborhood; and

WHEREAS, State Law does not require any training or certification of private persons using fireworks, and as a result, many injuries and even deaths have occurred. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, fireworks were blamed for eleven deaths in the United States in 2022. Emergency rooms treated approximately 10,200 people for firework-related injuries and ¾ of the injuries sustained occurred within a month of July 4th; and

WHEREAS, adults 25 to 44 years of age experienced about 36 percent of the estimated injuries, and children younger than 15 years of age accounted for 28 percent of the estimated injuries in 2022. Burns were the most frequently estimated type of injury, making up 38 percent of all emergency department-treated fireworks injuries; and

WHEREAS, the Wayne County Commission commends law enforcement for their continuous effort to ensure the safety of Wayne County residents by checking permits for firework displays, enforcing local firework ordinances and responding to the voluminous firework-related calls.

Now therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the Wayne County Commission this 18th day of July, 2023 joins a multitude of other communities in Michigan in imploring state lawmakers to repeal Public Act 256 of 2011, to return to Michigan's more restrictive laws that were in place before 2012; to protect the safety and security of Michigan neighborhoods and to maintain the quality of life Wayne County residents so richly deserve and demand; and be it further;

RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be provided to the Governor of the State of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer; all Michigan House Representatives and Senators; and the Board of the Michigan Association of Counties.

Wayne County Commission calls for tighter restrictions on fireworks(PDF, 182KB)