04/11/2023
🎆 Keep your family safe from fireworks 🎆
Every year, thousands of people – including many children – are injured badly enough to require medical treatment following a fireworks-related accident.
While some are injured trying to use professional-grade or illegal fireworks, don’t be in any doubt: small firecrackers and sparklers can also cause significant damage.
No wonder, then, that the National Safety Council strongly advise people 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.”
Take sparklers, for example. Young children wave them around each year, with parents seemingly oblivious to the fact that sparklers burn at 2,000 degrees – which is hot enough to melt some metals, never mind ravage a child’s hand or foot! Sparklers can quickly ignite clothing, too.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, sparklers account for more than 25% of all emergency room visits for fireworks injuries. For children under five years old, sparklers account for nearly half of the total estimated injuries.
Instead, the NSC advises parents with young children to use glow sticks, confetti paper or coloured streamers.
Meanwhile, did you know? Fireworks start an average of 19,000 fires each year.
If you are still determined to do home fireworks, here are some safety tips:
Never allow young children to handle fireworks.
Older children should use them only under close adult supervision.
Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear.
Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands.
Never light them indoors.
Only use them away from people, houses, and flammable material.
Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting.
Never ignite devices in a container.
Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.
Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding.
Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire.
Never use illegal fireworks.
More tips at www.nsc.org
