Fireworks Safety
Summertime is here. Summer brings outdoor fun, picnics and celebrations for the Fourth of July. For many people the 4th of July means fireworks. A good fireworks show can make lots of good memories for your family and can be a wonderful end to a family holiday picnic. Make sure your celebration is safe by educating your family about fireworks safety.
If not handled properly fireworks can cause burn and eye injuries. According to the US consumer product safety commission, each year 250 people on average go to the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the days around the 4th of July.
These injuries are not limited to kids; 61% of the injuries reported are adults, 32% are kids under age 14 and the rest are teens. About 14% of fireworks injuries are due to using sparklers incorrectly, 17% involve firecrackers, 21% involve roman candles or reloadable shells, and the rest are other types of products. Fireworks injuries can happen with both backyard displays and public displays.
Using some types of fireworks at home is not legal in all areas, so be sure to check the local laws. If you do use home fireworks, use these safety tips to make sure you have a safe and memorable celebration.
- Never make your own fireworks. Buy fireworks from a reputable dealer, and make sure they are legal. Legal fireworks have a label and manufacturer’s name and directions. Illegal fireworks account for many injuries.
- Always use fireworks outside. Have a bucket of water and a hose nearby in case of accidents. Pay attention to weather conditions. If the weather is very dry or windy, don’t use fireworks. Wait for better weather conditions.
- Point fireworks away from your home, buildings, brush, trees, and flammable substances. The national fire protection Association estimates that local fire departments respond to more than 50, 000 fires caused by fireworks each year.
- Soak all used fireworks in a bucket of water before throwing them in a trash can.
- Before lighting any fireworks, make sure you have a safe place to light them. Make sure all spectators stay safely back from the lighting area; only the adult lighting the firework should be in the area.
- Don’t hold fireworks in your hand or have any part of your body over them while lighting.
- Wear eye protection while lighting fireworks
- Don’t throw or point fireworks at anyone.
- When lighting fireworks, light one at a time.
- MOVE back quickly after lighting the firework. Fireworks have been known to backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction.
- NEVER allow children to play with or light fireworks
- NEVER try to relight a firework that was a dud or that has not ignited fully.
- Don’t allow kids to pick up pieces of fireworks
- If you give your kids sparklers, make sure they keep them away from bodies, faces, clothes and hair. Sparklers can reach a temperature of 1800 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot enough to melt gold. Set up a bucket of water to dispose of used sparklers, make sure kids don’t drop them on the ground. Go over safety rules for sparklers with kids and enforce them.
If anyone is injured, seek medical treatment immediately. If eye injury occurs, don’t touch or rub the eye as this can cause more damage. Don’t flush the eye or put on any ointment. Lightly cover the eye, and seek medical attention. For a burn, remove clothing and run cool water over the burned area and seek medical attention.
Fireworks are meant to be enjoyed. Be safe if you use fireworks at home or attend a public fireworks display and leave the lighting to the professionals.
