Weekly Safety Meeting – Leave Fireworks to the Experts

Fireworks are often used to mark special events and holidays. The only safe way to view fireworks is to attend a professional show. With many professional fireworks shows being canceled this year, it is important to know that fireworks are not safe in the hands of consumers

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.

Over two-thirds (67%) of injuries took place from June 16 to July 16. And while the majority of these incidents were due to amateurs attempting to use professional-grade, homemade, or other illegal fireworks or explosives, an estimated 1,200 injuries were from less powerful devices like small firecrackers and sparklers.

Typical fireworks injuries can be caused by firecrackers, bottle rockets, sparklers and more. Sparklers can burn at about 2,000 degrees, hot enough to melt metal!

Fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires each year, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires and nearly 17,000 other fires.

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, and flammable material;
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person;
• 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.

Let’s Not Forget the Safety of Our Pets:

• Don’t bring your pets to a fireworks display, even a small one.
• If fireworks are being used near your home, put your pet in a safe, interior room to avoid exposure to the sound.
• Make sure your pet has an identification tag in case it runs off during a fireworks display.
• Never shoot fireworks of any kind (consumer fireworks, sparklers, fountains, etc.) near pets.

Remember:

Fireworks can be fun and we certainly have something to celebrate. But a trip to the emergency room can ruin everything. Don’t set yourself, friends, and family up for injuries. Reduce the risk by recognizing the hazards and mitigating the risk.

STAY ALERT…DON’T GET HURT!!