If you were to ask parents in New Hampshire if they would give their child a lighter to play with, they would most likely tell you, “absolutely not.” Yet those same parents have no issue with giving their children a sparkler (which most commonly burns at a temperature of 1,800 degrees) to play with. Is this a problem? Yes.

In the July 3 edition of the Union Leader, the paper published an editorial titled “Local Fireworks, Milford says yes, Freedom no.” Within that editorial the paper stated that many New Hampshire towns ban the use of the small, safe fireworks that are permissible within our state. The paper went on to state that fewer should.

While it is a fact that Class C fireworks are legal within our state, it is without a doubt a mistruth to say that consumer fireworks are safe. Consumer fireworks are a risk to people and property. Risk = hazards + probabilities. Hazards are always present in varying degrees, and the probability that those hazards could negatively affect someone vary by use. We need to only look at the tragic events that have occurred over the July 4 holiday, not only in New Hampshire but across the country.

While the Union Leader believes it is hard to let freedom ring when your local government will not let you, it is clear that they have not read the New Hampshire Constitution. Part 1, Article 3, Society, Its Organization and Purpose states, “When men enter into a state of society, they surrender up some of their natural rights to that society, in order to ensure protection of others; and, without such an equivalent, the surrender is void.”

Both the state and its local communities have an obligation to ensure the safety of their citizens. While ensuring one’s liberty and personal freedoms is a balancing act, we must look beyond the public’s interest and look at the public duty. Are fireworks dangerous? In 2009, they caused an estimated 18,000 reported fires nationwide with $38 million in direct property damage. In 2010, they caused an estimated 8,800 injuries. Still think they’re safe?

The true insult was in the July 5 edition of the Union Leader just two days after 17 people were injured throughout New Hampshire by fireworks. The editor decided to publish a political cartoon by Gary Varvel that depicted a small child holding a sparkler, surrounded by a SWAT team with guns drawn. The caption in the cartoon stated “No sudden moves … just drop the weapon into the bucket and put your hands up!”

Mocking public safety efforts that are in place to ensure the safety of the public and claiming fireworks are safe while the data, statistics and facts clearly show otherwise is irresponsible and shameful.

Jason A. Smedick of Goffstown is a captain in the Milford Fire Department.