Officials urge residents to watch the fireworks display at Eisenhower Park, not become an injury statistic
As officials promoted the event, they also reminded residents to leave fireworks to the professionals.
The final preparations are underway for Thursday's "Celebrate America" fireworks and drone show at Eisenhower Park, where county officials are encouraging residents to celebrate safely and leave fireworks to the experts.
News 12 spoke with Grucci's chief pyrotechnician Pat Buffolino about the behind-the-scenes preparations involved in the large-scale display.
"The design, the music choreography, the fireworks choreography the storyboard for the drones putting that all together and coming in with a package that tomorrow night it all goes off in synchronous with everything," Buffalino said.
The celebration gets underway at 5:30 p.m. at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre and will include a coordinated fireworks and drone display.
As officials promoted the event, they also reminded residents to leave fireworks to the professionals.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder and Fire Chief Michael Uttaro all spoke on Wednesday to warn about the dangers of illegal fireworks ahead of the Fourth of July holiday.
Officials did a series of demonstrations to show how quickly fireworks can cause serious injuries and property damage.
"Probably one of the most dangerous and the most injuries that we receive are children with sparklers, not the big stuff," Ryder said.
According to county officials, Nassau police responded to more than 1,600 fireworks-related calls last Fourth of July. Nationally, fireworks were linked to 15 deaths last year.
Officials say the dangers extend beyond personal injury. Illegal fireworks displays can also spark devastating fires
"Too many times, including last year, personal fireworks displays were set off in front of people's homes and on neighborhood blocks," Uttaro said. "The remnants of those illegal fireworks displays resulted in seven fires last year, several of which destroyed homes."
