Just before World War II the two leaders among principal cities in the country for fireworks injuries were Providence and Pawtucket, RI, with a rate of 33 per 100,000 population. In 1942, a fireworks control law was passed, and the rate dropped to nearly zero in one year and has remained low since. At least 26 other states have similar legislation and enjoy a low incidence of fireworks injuries. However, it is obvious to those in Rhode Island and other "safe states" that a large number of illegal fireworks are available and used. The National Society for the Prevention of Blindness (NSPB) has reported the results of a survey taken in 1969 wherein there were 1,330 personal injuries including five fatalities from fireworks of various kinds. Five hundred fifty-seven injuries were from so-called safe and sane or class C fireworks (the common salute and sparklers). Thirty-two percent of the injuries