Last updated on January 12, 2017
This weekend is Independence Day. One of our traditions is to watch fireworks displays or shoot them off ourselves. In 2006, 9,200 fireworks-related injuries were treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms. The trend in fireworks-related injuries has been mostly up since 1996 with spikes in 2000-2001, primarily due to celebrations around the advent of a new millennium. The highest injury rates were for children ages 10 to 14. 75 percent of all injured were male.
Most fireworks injuries involve burns, but contusions, lacerations and other types of injuries are possible. Let’s look at some safety precautions for being around fireworks.
Be Prepared before you light fireworks:
- Use legal fireworks, available at licensed outlets.
- Store fireworks out of children’s reach.
- Keep pets safe indoors.
- Always keep water handy.
Be Safe when lighting fireworks:
- Only adults should light fireworks.
- Only use outdoors.
- Do not throw fireworks or hold in your hand.
- Protect your eyes.
- Light one firework at a time and move away quickly.
- Never relight a “dud.”
Be Responsible after you finish:
- Soak used fireworks in water.
- Be considerate — clean up used fireworks.
- Keep matches and lighters away from children.
HAVE A SAFE AND FUN FOURTH OF JULY!