OK. We know it seems weird to post about fireworks safety AFTER the 4th of July has come and gone, but here’s the truth. Fireworks hurt, even after the holiday is over.
There is a reason that July is “Fireworks Safety Month.” It’s obviously the one month out of the year in which most fireworks purchases are made, but the reality is that a large number of fireworks related injuries actually occur AFTER Independence day. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 260 people on average go the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July 4th holiday. And a good number of those injuries happen after the actual holiday.
It makes sense right? Think about it. Fireworks stands have CRAZY sales the day after Uncle Sam’s Birthday, so it makes sense that Americans would stock up on fireworks. It’s hard to pass up a hand-painted sign that says BUY ONE GET EIGHT FREE!
So, after all of our families have gone back home, after our charcoal grill has cooled down, and after we’ve parked the boat back in the dock, remember to play it safe while shooting off the last remnants of your fireworks stash this summer.
Here are some quick tips and reminders:
- Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
- Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
- Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don’t realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals.
- 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.
