St. Louis, MO – With the Fourth of July holiday rapidly approaching, law enforcement and fire officials across the Midwest are issuing stark warnings about the extreme dangers of illegal, homemade fireworks, which can function as unpredictable and powerful bombs.
The warnings have taken on a renewed urgency following a deadly explosion in Ohio this past weekend. According to the Liberty Township Fire Department, an explosion on Saturday at a residence allegedly involving homemade fireworks killed 34-year-old Justin Braun and left three others, including a 4-year-old child, with critical injuries. The incident serves as a tragic example of what can go wrong.
Officials from multiple states are echoing the call for caution. According to the St. Louis County Police Department, homemade fireworks are both illegal and exceptionally dangerous. They stress that these devices are not professionally manufactured and can be incredibly volatile. This sentiment is shared by the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s office, which advises the public to leave firework manufacturing to licensed professionals and to never tamper with existing fireworks.
Authorities emphasize that the chemical mixtures used can be hundreds of times more explosive than commercially produced fireworks, creating a significant risk of property damage, severe injury, or death. Residents in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and across the region are being urged to only attend public displays or use legally purchased consumer-grade fireworks in accordance with local laws to ensure a safe holiday.
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