Summer is upon us, and that means barbeques, get-togethers, and fireworks! Many people enjoy seeing the bright colors fly through the night air, but it is important to keep in mind that fireworks are explosives, and only professionals should handle those designed for experts.
A study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) shows that more than 200 people per day, on average, go to the emergency room each July with fireworks-related injuries close to the Independence Day holiday.
FEMA and CPSC experts recommend the following fireworks safety tips to help prevent injury:
- Attend fireworks displays and leave the lighting to the professionals.
- Do not try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not fully ignited.
- Keep sparklers away from children. They can burn at temperatures about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt certain metals!
- It is always a good idea to have a family first aid kit nearby when using fireworks, traveling, or enjoying other summer festivities!
Follow these safety tips when using fireworks:
- Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
- Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities.
- Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
- Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
- Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
- Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
- Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
- Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
- After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.
- Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
