Each July 4th, thousands of people, most often children and teens, are injured while using consumer fireworks.
With July 4th just around the corner, it’s important to know how to safely handle and operate fireworks. Every year, there are numerous children sent to the emergency room with firework-related injuries and most, it not all, of those injuries are preventable.
Follow these safety tips to prevent injuries from fireworks:
- Young children should never be allowed to play with or ignite fireworks.
- Always closely supervise children when fireworks are being used. Young children can be injured even by sparkles when not properly supervised. Sparklers caused more than 40% of ALL injuries due to fireworks.
- Always place fireworks on the ground and light the fuse at an arms length and immediately get to a safe distance to observe.
- Point fireworks away from homes, and keep away from brush, leaves and flammable substances.
- Light fireworks one at a time.
- Never try to pick and move an already lit firework.
- Never try to re-ignite malfunctioning fireworks.
- Never point or throw a firework at a person’s body or feet.
- Always have water or a fire extinguisher nearby.
- Never carry fireworks inside a pocket.
- Never shoot fireworks into glass or metal containers.
- After the fireworks have completed burning, douse any fireworks material on the ground with plenty of water before discarding it.
The best way to protect your family is to not use any fireworks at home. Instead, attend public fireworks displays and leave the lighting to the professionals!
Following these safety tips on fireworks can ensure that the July 4th holiday will be a happy and joyful celebration. For more tips and information on firework safety, please visit Safe Kids, Consumer Product Safety Commission, or National Fire Protection Association.
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