FEDERAL OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE SEIZURE OF MILLIONS OF ILLEGAL IMPORTED FIREWORKS DURING OPERATION MIDWEST THUNDER

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Chairman Terrence Scanlon today announced the seizure of nearly 20 million units of illegal fireworks, with a domestic retail value of nearly 1 million dollars, during Operation Midwest Thunder. This operation included import surveillance efforts in Chicago, Cleveland and other Midwest cities. U.S. Government safety standards violated include improper warning labeling, unstable bases, defective fuses and powder overloading.

Operation "Midwest Thunder," which blocked illegal fireworks shipments from entry into the North Central United States, is the second recent major joint effort between the CPSC and the U.S. Customs Service to prevent the importation of illegal fireworks into U.S. commerce. The previous endeavor, "Operation Heatstroke," a February 1988 joint effort in San Francisco, resulted in more than 30 seizures of fireworks, totaling nearly 3.2 million units with a domestic retail value of approximately $750,000.

Over 9,000 injuries associated with fireworks were treated in hospital emergency rooms during 1987. Almost half of these injuries were to children. In 1986, there were an estimated 12,600 injuries associated with fireworks treated in hospital emergency rooms. Approximately two-thirds of the fireworks used annually in the United States are imported.

These seized fireworks will not enter U.S. commerce this year and pose a safety hazard to Americans, especially young children. Previously, domestic surveillance efforts involved going to individual retail outlets. Chairman Scanlon said, "We have taken enforcement of U.S. government safety standards from the roadside to dockside in an effort to be more effective." The new, point of entry, approach is a more efficient means of intercepting illegal imported fireworks before they reach the hands of consumers. Our efforts will help make the 4th of July safer this year."

Scanlon added, "This cooperative interagency program has served notice that the importation of unsafe products will not be tolerated. This new and improved method of federal agencies working together will serve to protect the American public from unsafe products. We intend to continue to stop illegal fireworks from entering this country whenever we find them."

For more information call CPSC Media Relations, Washington, D.C. (301) 492-6580.

May 10, 1988

It is a pleasure and privilege to join today with representatives of the U.S. Customs Service and the Cleveland Fire Department in announcing the results of Operation "Midwest Thunder," a cooperative effort to prevent importation of unsafe and illegal fireworks through Cleveland and other midwest points of entry into U.S. commerce.

Over 65 types of illegal fireworks involving nearly 20 million units valued at nearly a million dollars domestically, were confiscated in this joint effort. Violations of U.S. Government fireworks safety standards included improper warning labeling, unstable bases, defective fuses and powder overloading.

The significance of this joint cooperative effort to promote public safety is reflected in the number of injuries associated annually with fireworks in America.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that, in 1987, 9,000 injuries associated with fireworks were treated in hospital emergency rooms. Over half these injuries were burns, many affecting the eyes, ears, mouth and face. Almost Fifty percent of the victims were under 15 years of age.

This cooperative enforcement effort, aimed at reducing the number and severity of these injuries, should put importers of fireworks on notice that the federal agencies concerned with consumer safety are prepared to take the steps necessary to prevent illegal and unsafe fireworks from ever reaching the hands of American consumers. In the past, the Commission's enforcement activities have been directed primarily at the roadside stand. By shifting the focus to the shipping dock, not only are imported illegal fireworks far less likely to reach the hands of potential users, but other would-be importers will be encouraged to make sure future shipments of their products comply with our regulations. Safer Fourth of July celebrations are likely to result.

A few statistics underscore what is at stake here. In 1986, Americans used approximately 105 million pounds of fireworks. According to the latest available data, over 60% of that total consisted of imports, with the street value of the fireworks being pegged at roughly $66 million. Of course, a goodly-number of these imported pyrotechnic products do meet our regulations but, as Operation Midwest Thunder and Operation Heatstroke before it have shown, far too many fail to comply. In fact, Operation Midwest Thunder alone will keep more unsafe fireworks from reaching American consumers this year than the sum total of the CPSC's fireworks enforcement activities the past 15 years.

Before I go any further, let me express my particular appreciation to Customs Commissioner von Raab, the dedicated agents of the U.S. Customs Service, State and Local officials at the various inspection points and the staff of the CPSC for their help in making Operation Midwest Thunder such a success. Thanks to you, the fine art of fireworks enforcement has been catapulted into the 21st century to the ultimate benefit of those who might otherwise suffer the painful consequences of a fireworks accident. If you had tried, I cannot think of a better birthday present you could have given Uncle Sam as he prepares to celebrate his 212th.