Suffolk officials, citing dangers, urge residents to steer clear of illegal fireworks displays

As Long Island gears up to celebrate America’s 250th birthday this weekend, Suffolk County officials Thursday morning ignited a vehicle using pyrotechnics to demonstrate how residents can injure themselves and others when setting off illegal fireworks.

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, Suffolk police Chief of Department William Doherty and Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services Commissioner Rudy Sunderman urged residents during a Thursday news conference at the county Fire Academy in Yaphank to leave fireworks displays to the professionals, citing the potential for life-changing injuries, such as mangled hands, and for wildfires.

“We want people to stay safe,” Romaine said. “Don’t use illegal fireworks, and if someone you know is putting on their own show, do not go, because you could get injured.”

Police said people who set off fireworks could face criminal sanctions, adding that county emergency personnel attend to injuries caused by illegal fireworks every year.

“Last year alone in Suffolk County, we had five people removed to area emergency rooms by our wonderful volunteer EMS agencies, and out of those five, one of them had a life-changing injury,” Doherty said. “Like the county executive said, if you want to see fireworks go to a sanctioned event, let the professionals deal with it, and enjoy.”

Doherty also announced enhanced patrols ahead of the holiday weekend, with designated police officers tasked with "no other job” than to look for intoxicated drivers.

“I would urge residents, don’t drink and drive, use the ride share apps and get a designated driver,” he said.

Additional boats from the county police's marine bureau will also be on waterways this weekend to look for boaters who are intoxicated. Highway police officers, who are field sobriety test experts, will ride on the boats. The Suffolk police are also partnering with the Coast Guard, which will also be patrolling waterways.

Officials also urged residents to refrain from sparklers. Sunderman said that in 2025, there were reports of 1,300 injuries in the United States because of sparklers.

Dr. Steven Sandoval, medical director of the Suffolk County Volunteer Firefighters Burn Center at Stony Brook University Hospital, said if a sparkler burns a child’s hand, parents should start with cooling the hand before EMTs arrive.

“The best way to stay safe from fireworks is to not use them,” Sunderman said. “We urge everyone to do their best to ensure we have a safe Independence Day as we celebrate our 250th anniversary.”

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misidentified Suffolk County police Chief of Department William Doherty, who spoke at the news conference.