Firework Safety

6/13/2019 (Permalink)

Fireworks can be fun to watch, but dangerous to use.

For many, fireworks are an important component of any 4^th of July celebration. However, fireworks can be extremely dangerous, especially if handled without care. In fact, an average of 230 people are sent to the emergency room each day with firework-related injuries in the weeks leading up to the 4^th of July. This is because fireworks can cause serious damage to hands, fingers and eyes. In addition, fireworks are responsible for 18,500 fires per year, which cause deaths and serious property damage. For these reasons, it is very important to use caution and practice safety measures when handling fireworks. Do your best to employ the following safety tips this 4^th of July:

• Do not allow young children to handle fireworks; older children should be supervised at all time when handling or igniting fireworks of any kind.
• When lighting a fuse, do not allow any part of your body to be above the firework. Once lit, always retreat to a safe distance until the firework is finished.
• Do not attempt to re-light fireworks that did not go off.
• Always keep a container of water near your fireworks site in case of a fire.
• Do not carry fireworks on your person for any reason.
• Before throwing away your used fireworks, submerge them in water to avoid starting a trash fire.
• Do not ignite fireworks near your home or any other structure.

While we offer tips to stay safe when using fireworks, you should always follow all of your local laws and ordinances. Stay safe and have fun!