As the nation prepares to celebrate the Fourth of July, the U.S. Department of Transportation is working on many fronts to help prevent unnecessary accidents and fatalities due to the unsafe transport of fireworks.
"Fireworks on the Fourth of July are an American tradition," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "We want to make sure the traveling public and commercial operators know how to safely transport fireworks so we can all enjoy these colorful displays, both small and large."
From June 28 through July 8, the department's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will conduct a nationwide roadside inspection sweep to ensure that commercial motor vehicles transporting fireworks categorized as Class 1 Explosives are operating in full compliance with federal and state safety standards.
FMCSA inspectors, in partnership with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and state law enforcement, will examine the driver, vehicle and hazardous materials loads. They will take into account safety permits, shipping papers, placards, load securement, packaging, marking, labels, and all other requirements for the transportation of fireworks categorized as Class 1 Explosives.
In addition, the department's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have issued safety information for consumers and commercial operators about how to safely handle and transport fireworks.
PHMSA's safety alert covers the transport of consumer fireworks, which are explosives covered by the Hazardous Materials Regulations.
The safety alert outlines the requirements for these explosives, which must be labeled and packaged properly. PHMSA also provides the following resources about transporting fireworks and hazardous materials:
Inspection Guidance for Class 1 Hazardous Materials Shipments
Explosive Approvals -- Regulatory Guidelines for Shipping and Transporting Fireworks
Consumer Fireworks Advisory Safety Letter
Safety Guidance for Shipping Consumer Fireworks
Getting Fireworks Home Safely in Your Vehicle
Because of the tremendous fire risk they pose to aircraft both in the air and on the ground, the FAA is reminding the traveling public that fireworks of any kind, including sparklers, are prohibited aboard aircraft. This includes both carry-on and checked bags.
All of these efforts are designed to increase public and industry understanding regarding the safe transport of fireworks.
For more information about fireworks and other prohibited items, visit the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Travel website. For information about hazardous materials log onto: http://ash.faa.gov/passengers.asp.