Fireworks Safety

Quick Facts provided by OHSCompCare:

 

• In 2010, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 8,600 people for fireworks related injuries; 53% of emergency room fireworks-related injuries were to the extremities and 37% were to the head.
• The risk of fireworks injury was highest for teens ages 15-19 and children 5-9, both with at least two-and-a-half times the risk for the general population.
• On Independence Day in a typical year, far more U.S. fires are reported than on any other day, and fireworks account for more than half of those fires, more than any other cause of fires.

 

Our Kansas City Area Fire Departments, National Fire Protection Association and Adult Quick Care recommend that the best way to safely enjoy your 4^th of July Holiday is to watch a public fireworks display conducted by professionals.  However, if fireworks are legal where you live and you decide to host a fireworks display of your own, please be sure to follow important safety tips:

 

• Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable.

• Never allow young children to handle fireworks.

• Older children should use fireworks only under close adult supervision.

• Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time.

• Read and follow the instructions on each firework.

• Light the firework at arm's length with a taper and maintain a safe distance after lighting.

• Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks.

• Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.

• Keep water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that malfunction or in the event of a fire.

• Don't put fireworks in pockets, and never throw them.

• Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators, homes, and flammable materials.

• Make sure that all fires are put out and surroundings are made safe before leaving.

 

Don't forget about your pets this 4^th of July Holiday!  Pets don't like fireworks.  The flames and noise bother them.  To keep your pets safe over the 4^th of July Holiday, keep them indoors.  Make sure they cannot get out through open windows and doors.  Pets should wear collars with their information attached in the event that they are scared and run off.  Make sure they have plenty of food and water and toys to distract them from the noise outside.  Pets are family too and should be kept safe and comfortable this holiday season.

 

To learn more about fire work safety visit the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/ or the National Safety Council's website at: http://www.nsc.org/.