Fireworks Safety
The 4th of July is a time for picnics, parades, fireworks and – unfortunately – accidents. Every year, Americans set off more than 265 million pounds of fireworks, causing an estimated 10,000 injuries, from mild burns to severe trauma. Almost half of these victims are children under the age of 15. That’s the reason there should always be adult supervision when fireworks are being used. Here are some more important safety tips.
• Only use fireworks outdoors and always follow instructions.
• Make sure that a source of water, like a hose or a bucket of water, is always handy to put out fires.
• Keep spectators at a safe distance.
• Think again about sparklers. They seem safe, but the temperature of a sparkler can reach 1,000 degrees F and cause severe burns. Half of the fireworks injuries in children under five are caused by sparklers.
• If you have a “dud,” don’t try to relight it. The fuse could still be burning and explode at any time. Stay away for 20 minutes and then carefully use water to “drown” the firecracker.