Wishing You Safe July 4th

The 4th of July. It’s time off from work; time to enjoy the company of family and friends; time for some fireworks, perhaps. It is great to celebrate and have fun, but make sure everything is safe and legal — especially in handling fireworks.

Fireworks are explosives. It seems that because the scintillating shapes and colors they make in the sky are so fascinating, people tend to forget fireworks for what they are: explosives, not toys.

Even the so-called “safe and sane” Class C fireworks, such as sparklers, are inherently dangerous. Sparkler tips reach temperatures of 1,200 degrees — hot enough to cause severe burns or set children’s clothes on fire. In fact, many fireworks-related injuries come from burns on the hands or fingers caused by sparklers.

Despite the dangers, many adults continue to let children and teens light fireworks without supervision.

Close to 10,000 people across the country get treatment for injuries related to fireworks use each year, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Nearly half of those (48.9 percent) are young people under 18 years.

All of these injuries are preventable. People just need to use their common sense and observe safety precautions.

Other risks related to fireworks:

• Consumer fireworks are illegal in many states. However, a problem may arise when these explosives are legal in the neighboring state and people cross over the border to buy them.

• Fireworks should be used only on your property or on the property of a person who has allowed their use on his or her property.

• Many adults drink alcohol and light fireworks. It is not necessary to be intoxicated to enjoy fireworks, but such people apparently do not think so. About 3 cases in 20 fireworks-related injuries are associated with alcohol use by the injured parties.

• Parents should realize that they can be liable for any fireworks-related damages their children may cause. This may include the cost of suppressing fires caused by fireworks.

Safety Tips:

• Make sure all children are under adult supervision when using sparklers.
• Show children the proper way to hold sparklers: at arm’s length and away from the body.
• Instruct children never to throw sparklers. Have a bucket of water nearby and throw spent sparklers into it.
• Teach children to remain standing still while holding sparklers; they should not wave sparklers or run around with it.
• Never sit down while using sparklers.
• Light or hold only one sparkler at a time.
• Never give a burning sparkler to another person.
• Stay at least two arms’ length away from another person while holding a lighted sparkler.
• Consider attending professional fireworks displays instead.