Fire Department predicts a shortage of firecrackers

Those with plans to buy Fourth of July firecrackers could be out of luck.

Permits to use firecrackers on the holiday are on sale through Wednesday, but having a permit doesn’t mean you’ll be able to find fireworks in a store.

Capt. David Jen­kins, Hono­lulu Fire Department spokes­man, said Tuesday that warehouses and stores are required to notify the Fire Department that they have brought firecrackers for storage on Oahu.

None have done so, which means that as of Tuesday no one has brought firecrackers to the island, Jen­kins said.

Anyone intending to purchase a permit should check with retail stores first, to determine the availability of firecrackers.

Firecrackers must be purchased from licensed retailers no more than five days prior to their use.

The state Health Department said 33 fireworks-related injuries were reported by hospitals in the state during the 2014 New Year’s Day holiday. The department said that such injuries continue to be relatively low on Oahu, following changes to laws covering the sale and use of consumer fireworks that became effective in 2011. The lower number of injuries was especially noticeable among children, the department added.

"We advocate for safety," Jen­kins said.

Jenkins said he expected the Fire Department would offer those who bought permits the chance to exchange them, as it did in a previous year when there was a shortage of fireworks.

For information call the Fire Prevention Bureau at 723-7161.

"We hope that people will continue to respect Hono­­lulu’s fireworks ordinance and the dangers of firecrackers," said Fire Chief Manuel P. Neves.