Holidays like the Fourth of July can be fun times with great memories. But make sure everyone knows about fireworks safety. If not handled properly, fireworks can cause burns and major injuries in kids and adults. To ensure the safety of yourself and others, follow the recommended fireworks safety measures.
- Always use fireworks outside and have a bucket of water/hose nearby in case of accidents.
- Ditch faulty fireworks. Sometimes fireworks don’t go off, but duds always pose a risk. Make sure to discard them immediately.
- Supervise children when they are handling sparklers. Sparklers burn at about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit—hot enough to melt some metals. They can quickly ignite clothing, and give children terrible burns.
- Don’t forget about your pets! Fireworks can be extremely stressful for pets. Keep them indoors.
- Soak both used and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding.
- Never place a part of your body directly over a firework or hold a firework in your hand when lighting. To safely light fireworks, make sure they are secured on the ground away from people and animals and use a stem lighter such as a grill lighter.
- Only light one firework at a time. Lighting multiple fireworks at the same time increases the risk of accidents occurring from the fuse burning faster than designed.
- Avoid alcohol consumption when handling or using fireworks.
Make some great memories this summer with the long nights, barbeques, parades and fireworks! Have a safe and wonderful 4th of July!