4th of July Fireworks Safety

The Forth of July holiday will be here soon, and one of our traditions inthe United States is to watch fireworks displays or shoot them off ourselves. Fireworks cause an average of almost 18,500 reported fires per year, and sparklers account for more than one quarter of emergency room fireworks injuries. The highest injury rates were for children aged 10 to 14 and 75% of all injured were male.

Most fireworks injuries involve burns, but there were also contusions, lacerations and other types of injuries. Let’s look at some safety precautions if you’re around fireworks:

• Be prepared before you light fireworks:
• Use legal fireworks, available at licensed outlets
• Store fireworks out of children’s reach
• Keep pets safe indoors
• Always keep water handy
• Be safe when lighting fireworks
• Only adults should light fireworks
• Only use fireworks outdoor
• Do not throw fireworks or hold them in your hand
• Protect your eyes
• Light one firework at a time and move away quickly
• Never relight a “dud”

Be Responsible after you finish:

• Soak used fireworks in water
• Be considerate--clean up used fireworks
• Keep matches and lighters away from children

HAVE A SAFE AND FUN FOURTH OF JULY!