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Fireworks

The July 4th holiday is a wonderful celebration and gateway to the summer months. Unfortunately, it can also provide ample opportunity for danger, particularly among children. It is smart to play it safe in the summer months and leave the fireworks to the professionals.

Safety Tips:

• Observe state and local laws. Check with your local police or fire department to determine what fireworks can be legally discharged in your area.
• Never use illegal fireworks. If you see them being sold, alert the authorities in your area. Fireworks are classified as explosives and are regulated under Interstate Transportation laws in the U.S.
• Read and follow directions on any legal fireworks for your area.
• Never build or experiment with homemade fireworks.
• Help your children plan safe activities on Independence Day. Sparklers can reach 1800 degrees at the tip…they are not safe for children, whether legal or not in your area. Give them glow-in-the-dark wands and noisemakers as substitutes for sparklers and firecrackers.
• Teach your children about the dangers of fireworks and other explosives. Discourage children from trying them out even once. Set a good example by never using fireworks yourself.
• If you find firecrackers or other explosive substances around your home, call the local fire department’s non-emergency number for disposal guidelines. Do not dispose of them or light them yourself. Too many unknowns like age, moisture levels, and amount of explosive material make these substances and devices dangerous and unpredictable.
• Never underestimate the inventiveness of children, who sometimes try to concoct homemade devices. Keep potentially hazardous materials like lighter fluid, charcoal lighter and gasoline out of their reach.
• Never approach a firework after it has been lit, even if it appears to have gone out. It is likely to still be excessively hot and it may explode unexpectedly.
• Make sure spectators are out of range before lighting fireworks.
• Never try to re-ignite fireworks that have malfunctioned. Soak them with water and throw them away.
• Only light fireworks on a smooth flat surface away from the houses, dry leaves and any other flammable materials.
• Never throw, point, or shoot fireworks towards people, pets, buildings or vehicles.
• Consider safe alternatives for celebration. Attend a community fireworks display handled by professionals and observe bystander rules, remaining safely back from danger. Or, hold a celebration at home where you can supervise your children’s holiday festivities.
• If an accident occurs, call your emergency rescuer or local hospital emergency unit. Get immediate medical attention from experts who specialize in treating burns and other traumatic injuries.

Facts and Figures:

• It is very important to take firework safety seriously.
• An explosion can last for a mere fraction of a second, but in that instant, a person’s whole life can change.
• Children and teenagers, who are more prone to be careless or unaware of the danger, are most likely to be severely injured.
• 1998:
  • Each year, more than 12,000 Americans, half of them children, are treated in emergency rooms fore firework-cause injuries.
  • 54% of the children injured by fireworks are under the supervision of adults.
  • 26% of the children injured by fireworks are simply bystanders.
  • 10% of the children injured by fireworks suffer permanent damage.
  • 29% of the children injured by fireworks suffer injury to the eyes.
  • 22% of the children injured by fireworks suffer injury to the hands.
• Children playing with fire in the United States cause nearly 400 deaths, over 3,000 injuries and over $280 million in lost property each year.