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The Fourth of July is a popular time for fireworks, but it can also be a dangerous time if fireworks are misused and mishandled.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission says eight fireworks-related deaths and 12,900 injuries occurred last year. They say around 67 percent of those injuries happened during the month surrounding the Fourth of July holiday.
The number one cause of injuries during that one-month period was sparklers. CPSC says 14 percent of injuries from June 16, 2017, to July 16, 2017 were caused by sparklers. They recommend that only adults handle sparklers.
“CPSC works year round to help prevent deaths and injuries from fireworks,” said Ann Marie Buerkle, CPSC acting chairman. “Beyond CPSC’s efforts, we want to make sure everyone takes simple safety steps to celebrate safely with their family and friends. We work with the fireworks industry, monitor incoming fireworks shipments at the ports and enforce federal fireworks safety regulations, so that all Americans have a safe Fourth of July.”
- In order to keep your family safe, the Consumer Product Safety Commission shared these safety steps: Make sure consumer fireworks are legal in your area, before buying or using them. (View Fact Sheet)
- Never use or make professional-grade fireworks.
- Do not buy or use fireworks that are packaged in brown paper; this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and are not for consumer use.
- Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks, including sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This is hot enough to melt some metals.
- Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Move to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
- Never point or throw fireworks at another person or occupied area.
- Light fireworks one at a time, then move away from them quickly.
- Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy, in case of fire or other mishap.
- Never try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Soak them with water and throw them away.
- After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding the device to prevent a trash fire.
For more information on fireworks safety click here.