The 4th of July is almost here, which means it’s almost time for fireworks. Unfortunately, a popular brand of fireworks is being recalled in four states over concerns that they “can unintentionally explode.” What fireworks are affected by the recall? The TNT Red, White, & Blue Smoke fireworks, which are “intended to emit colored smoke, not explode,” are the fireworks under question. Already three people have suffered burns in separate incidents, prompting the Consumer Products Safety Commission to issue a safety alert earlier this week.

TNT Red, White, & Blue Smoke Fireworks; Image Courtesy of the Consumer Products Safety Commission, https://www.cpsc.gov/

The popular fireworks are sold “at five chain stores in four states,” including “Albertsons, Kroger, Meijer, Target, and Walmart stores in Illinois, Ohio, Vermont, and Wisconsin for $5 a package.” As for how they can unintentionally explode? Well according to American Promotional Events of Florence, Ala., “the Blue Ammo Smoke effect could rapidly dispel from the bottom of the tube in an explosive manner posing a burn hazard.”

So how can consumers tell if they have one of these recalled fireworks? Well, the “smoke firework is a cardboard tube that is about 1 inch in diameter and 5 inches long.” The products also have “TNT's logo as well as Red, White & Blue Smoke and UPC number 027736036561” on the package.

Consumers who have these fireworks are being advised by the Consumer Products Safety Commission not to light them, but to instead return them for a refund.

Sources:

These colored-smoke fireworks are being recalled because they can explode

Fireworks product recalled over unintended explosions