Independence Day is a time for celebrating with friends and family but our fun can be cut short if we are not careful. Fireworks are one area we need to be cautious about as they can cause serious burns or eye injuries. The Consumer Production Safety Commission says on average 230 people go to the emergency room every day with firework related injuries around the 4th of July holiday.
The National Council on Fireworks Safety recommends the following safety tips:
Always have a responsible adult supervise all firework activities.
Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks.
Know your fireworks; read the cautionary labels and performance descriptions before igniting.
Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Save your alcohol for after the show.
Wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks.
Light one firework at a time and then quickly move away.
Use fireworks OUTDOORS in a clear area; away from buildings, trees and vehicles.
Never relight a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
Always have a bucket of water and charged water hose nearby.
Never carry fireworks in your POCKET or shoot them into METAL or GLASS containers.
Dispose of spent fireworks by wetting them down and place in a metal trash can away from any building or combustible materials until the next day.
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