Well, the Fourth is almost here and with it, barbecues, parades, and fireworks displays. The National Safety Council advises everyone to enjoy fireworks at public displays conducted by professionals, and not to use any fireworks at home. They may be legal, but they are not safe.
In fact, a new report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) finds a significant upward trend in fireworks-related injuries. Between 2006 and 2021, injuries with fireworks climbed 25% in the U.S., according to CPSC estimates. The CPSC reported that there were at least nine deaths and an estimated 11,500 emergency room visits related to incidents involving fireworks in 2021.
If consumer fireworks are legal to buy where you live and you choose to use them, be sure to follow the following fireworks displays safety tips from Security Specialists:
- Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire.
- Never allow young children to handle fireworks.
- Older children should use them only under close adult supervision.
- Never use them while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
- Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby fireworks displays should wear protective eyewear.
- Never light them indoors.
- Never ignite devices in a container.
- Only use them away from people, houses, and flammable material.
- Never point or throw them at another person.
- Only light one device at a time and keep a safe distance after lighting.
- Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning ones.
- Soak both spent and unused firecrackers in water for a few hours before discarding.
- Never use illegal ones.
