Safety Tip of the Week – Leave Fireworks to the Experts

In 2019, eight people died and over 12,000 were injured badly enough to require medical treatment after fireworks-related incidents. Of these, 50% of the injuries were to children and young adults under age 20.

The only safe way to view fireworks is to attend a professional show.

If You Choose to Use Legal Fireworks:

If consumer fireworks are legal to buy where you live and you choose to use them, be sure to follow the following safety tips:

• Never allow young children to handle fireworks;
• Older children should use them only under close adult supervision;
• Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol;
• Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear;
• Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands;
• Never light them indoors;
• Only use them away from people, houses, pets, and flammable material;
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person or a pet;
• Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting;
• Never ignite devices in a container;
• Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks;
• Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding;
• Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire; and
• Never use illegal fireworks.

STAY ALERT…DON’T GET HURT!!