Summer is widely celebrated for barbecues, warm weather, and festive gatherings, particularly those featuring fireworks. While fireworks may be legal, they pose significant safety risks. Each year, thousands of individuals suffer severe injuries from firework-related accidents, with many affecting children and young adults. These incidents often arise from the use of professional-grade, homemade, or illegal fireworks. Additionally, fireworks are responsible for an average of 19,000 fires annually. Sparklers, another popular choice, can be equally perilous. They burn at approximately 2,000 degrees—hot enough to melt certain metals. According to the National Fire Protection Association, sparklers contribute to over 25% of emergency room visits related to firework injuries. To ensure safety while handling fireworks, keep these essential tips in mind:
- Never hold a lit firework in your hands.
- Use fireworks only in open spaces, away from people, homes, and flammable materials.
- Do not attempt to re-light or manage malfunctioning fireworks.
- Soak both used and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before disposal.
- Keep a bucket of water nearby to thoroughly extinguish any fireworks that fail to ignite or in case of a fire.
For more information and safety tips go to https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/seasonal-safety/summer-safety/fireworks