Doctor: 'Be safe, smart' with fireworks

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - An emergency room doctor told 24 Hour News 8 he's worried about the Fourth of July since Michigan law now allows for bigger booms.

State law that went into effect in January allows for the use of more powerful consumer-grade fireworks previously outlawed in Michigan. The law prohibits local municipalities from banning the use of the fireworks on the 10 national holidays, the day before and the day after. Some local governments have enacted bans on the fireworks outside of those restrictions.

"I've seen a progression the past few weeks," fireworks salesman Robert Tompsett told 24 Hour News 8. "Every day it seems to pick up more and more."

Tompsett said sales are headed in the same direction itself: Up.

At Tompsett's fireworks tent on Michigan Avenue, he has only two tables stocked with the less powerful novelty fireworks that have been allowed for some time.

--Chart showing legal fireworks in Michigan--

Now, it's out with the old and in with the boom.

But Saint Mary's emergency room Dr. Rob Brandt said he's worried about the use of the new fireworks.

"We're going to see more injuries because of it," said Brandt.

Brandt has worked the ER four times on Independence Day. He's more concerned about this year than past years.

"I'm a little worried just because this year is the first time people have fireworks that they may never have seen before," said Brandt.

But Tompsett said most buyers are inquisitive and want to know exactly how some of the new fireworks work and how to be safe. He said he does his best to keep buyers informed.

"I would assume that most people have common sense," said Tompsett.

"Be safe, be smart and have fun, but do it in that order," said Brandt. "Because as soon as someone starts saying, "watch this", that's when people are going to get into trouble."

The 10 national holidays:

- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Washington's Birthday
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day