HOLIDAY FIREWORKS RAISE QUESTIONS ON BOTTLE ROCKETS

The fireworks are over for this year's Fourth of July celebration. Luckily, only minor injuries caused by fireworks were treated in the Cape Girardeau area.

The exploding and sparkling devices are an ingrained part of the American celebration of Independence Day. They are, in a way, reminders of the military battles that have been fought to secure the liberties celebrated on this special holiday. But there are dangers. Fireworks can cause serious injuries -- an estimated 10,000 a year nationwide.

While organized fireworks displays can be dazzling and entertaining, some states have addressed the dangers of the personal use of fireworks by banning both their sales or use. Of course, that doesn't always put a stop to fireworks. Illinois, for example, has such a ban, but thousands of Illinois residents find their way across the Mississippi River to purchase fireworks in Missouri for use in their home state.

Some cities also have banned fireworks. Among Cape Girardeau's neighbors in Missouri, both Sikeston and Perryville have adopted such a ban. Other cities and state allow some fireworks but not others.

Topping most lists of dangerous fireworks are bottle rockets. These devices are extremely popular in this area, where they can be purchased in large quantities at a low price. When bottle rockets are properly set off in a safe area, they are fun -- and fun to watch. But when bottle rockets are ignited in residential areas, the fiery remains tend to land on roofs where they can be a fire hazard.

Not only that, bottle rockets are being misused more and more. Some holiday revelers like to aim them at houses, pedestrians or the open windows of passing automobiles. This deliberate misuse of bottle rockets makes them even more dangerous.

Local officials are hesitant to clamp down on fireworks, and rightfully so, because they are so popular. Selling fireworks is big business -- a source of income that would dry up if all fireworks were banned. But even the reluctant fire and police officials agree that, if any restrictions are imposed, bottle rockets ought to be first on the list.

The time to think about what, if anything, to do about fireworks is now, with nearly a year before the fireworks stands go up again. Waiting until another July rolls around would be inappropriate, because most fireworks dealers already have made wholesale commitments by then.

As with most things, it may take a tragedy to spur elected officials to take action. But before a house burns down or someone is seriously injured, now would be a good time to consider restrictions on bottle rockets as part of next year's Fourth of July arsenal.