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BY PATRICK GUINANE
pguinane@nwitimes.com
317.637.9078 | Tuesday, June 26, 2007 | (3 comment(s))
INDIANAPOLIS | A year after making it easier for amateurs to enjoy fireworks in Indiana, the state isn't getting as many bucks for the bang as predicted.
Legislators voted last year to legalize year-round fireworks use and imposed a new 5 percent sales tax. They expected to raise $3 million for public safety programs, including firefighter training.
But Indiana Department of Revenue figures show the tax brought in less than $2.4 million from July 2006 through the end of last month.
The 11-month total reflects $47 million in fireworks sales and projects only $2.6 million in tax collections annually. That revenue stream could shrink further, lawmakers warn, now that the Legislature let local communities impose tighter fireworks restrictions.
The 2006 fireworks legalization, permitting their use every day from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., unleashed a barrage of public criticism. Lawmakers responded this spring by giving cities and towns the power to ban fireworks use on all but a dozen days a year.
Several Northwest Indiana communities have adopted the most stringent rules, permitting fireworks use only on Dec. 31 and from June 29 to July 9.
With that window for backyard barrages opening Friday, state health officials are asking Hoosiers to keep fireworks -- even sparklers -- away from young children and to take other safety precautions. The state reported 251 fireworks-related injuries last year, and more than half of those incidents -- 55 percent -- involved adolescents or children.
State Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, says the safest way to enjoy fireworks is to leave the work to professionals.
"My whole idea is to just abolish selling fireworks to people who aren't professionally trained to operate them," he said.
STAY SAFE
-- Don't allow young children to play with fireworks, including sparklers
-- Closely supervise older children who are permitted to use fireworks
-- Always wear eye protection
-- Read and follow all warning instructions
-- Light fireworks in a clear area, away from houses and flammable materials
-- Keep a bucket of water nearby for emergencies and for dousing fireworks that don't go off
-- Don't try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Instead, soak them with water and throw them away
Source: Indiana State Department of Health
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Carl wrote on Jul 5, 2007 3:40 PM:
Jesse wrote on Jun 26, 2007 3:33 PM:
Jim from Hessville wrote on Jun 26, 2007 12:17 PM: