As the 4th of July approaches, it is so important to practice firework safety. Did you know in 2018 there were an estimated 9,100 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments due to fireworks? Sparklers being one of the biggest causes of hand and finger injuries! The Fourth of July is the biggest day of the year for fireworks and a time when being safe can help not just you but others. Follow these tips for safety.
- Never consume drugs or alcohol when using fireworks
- Don’t allow children to handle fireworks alone, have an adult supervising at all times, especially with sparklers
- Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire and to douse used fireworks before discarding in trash
- Only light fireworks outdoors and one at a time
- Never try to re-light or pickup fireworks that have not ignited fully, wait at least 20 minutes and discard them in water
- Always wear eye protection when lighting anything flammable
Most importantly have fun while exercising these safety tips!