On average, more than 45,000 Americans will pay a visit to the emergency room on the Fourth of July, resulting in the highest daily number of ER visits throughout the year. The majority of injuries are motor vehicle and swimming-related, but many are the result of fireworks. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission warned that fireworks-related injuries saw a 52% increase in 2024, where 14,700 people required a trip to the ER, and 11 people even died!
Beyond the physical harm that fireworks can cause, there is a real danger that they could blow up one’s security clearance, particularly if the fireworks were illegal!
“Security clearance holders are held to both ‘personal’ and ‘criminal’ conduct standards,” explained Dan Meyer, Tully Rinckey’s national security officer in Washington, D.C.
“Illegal fireworks are, well, illegal; the mere purchase can trigger a security review, you do not have to be detained, arrested, charged, or convicted to trigger a criminal conduct review,” Meyer told ClearanceJobs.
“If someone is arrested or charged with any illegal activity, including possession of illegal fireworks, it will prompt the government to look into the matter. Although every determination is fact-specific, the government has issued SORs involving possession of illegal fireworks in the past,” added Elisabeth Baker-Pham, chair of KCNF P.C.’s security clearance practice.
She told ClearanceJobs that security clearance holders should avoid even being around known illegal fireworks.
Don’t Take the Celebrations Too Far
It isn’t just illegal fireworks that can be a problem for security clearance holders when it comes to overindulging on the Fourth of July.
“Public drunkenness, shouting expletives, and making rude gestures, if recorded and then presented, can lead to a security review,” warned Meyer.
“Taking celebrations too far can impact an individual’s security clearance eligibility,” Baker-Pham concurred. “There are many other potential issues that can arise when people are celebrating. In my experience, the most common examples involve accepting drugs like marijuana or hallucinogens in a group setting and alcohol-related issues such as DUIs and charges related to public intoxication. Security clearance holders should avoid all illegal activity, including drugs that may be legal at the state or local level.”
Thinking Ahead to Fall and Beyond
Of course, this isn’t limited to the Fourth of July. Halloween will get here before you know it, and it can create its own share of problems. Something meant to be funny can quickly cross into the realm of bad taste and even cause problems.
“When it comes to matters of speech, and that includes costumes in poor taste, the security importance may be less of a concern than the professional conduct issues involved,” Meyer noted.
Even something that is misinterpreted can cause problems.
“Inappropriate Halloween costumes, alone, are much less likely to be security-significant unless the costume, for example, impersonates law enforcement or involves public nudity,” said Baker-Phat. “That said, Halloween costumes that are inflammatory may result in larger conflicts that may separately raise concerns.”
Regardless of the time of year or the holiday being celebrated, the best advice is to avoid creating a situation that could cause problems.
“Celebrations are a time when many people let loose and allow themselves to indulge more than usual,” warned Baker-Pham, “But it’s vital that clearance holders remain aware of legal boundaries and avoid conduct that may raise concerns about their judgment, trustworthiness, and reliability.”
