Fireworks are popular on summer evenings, especially during times of celebration like Independence Day and graduation parties. While beautiful, fireworks can be very dangerous if used incorrectly. In this article, we’re sharing injury details from the National Safety Council in addition to fireworks safety tips.
Watch Public Fireworks Displays
The National Safety Council recommends watching fireworks at public displays instead of using fireworks at home, noting that although fireworks are legal, that doesn’t mean they’re safe.
Thousands of individuals are injured and need medical attention due to fireworks-related injuries each year. Many of these individuals are children and young adults. Most of these injuries are related to people trying to use professional-grade, homemade, or other illegal fireworks or explosives. However, smaller devices like firecrackers and sparklers can also cause significant injuries.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that burns account for 38% of the 7,400 injuries treated in emergency rooms around July 4th. Sparklers accounted for 29% of fireworks injuries for children under age 5 treated in emergency rooms during the same period.
In addition to physical injuries, improper use of fireworks can cause serious fire risks which can impact the entire community. More than 31,000 reported fires are sparked by fireworks each year.
Fireworks Safety Tips
If you’re planning to use consumer fireworks that are legal to purchase in your area, the National Safety Council offers a few safety recommendations:
- Never let young children handle fireworks; older kids should only use them under close adult supervision.
- Wear protective eyewear if you’re using fireworks or standing nearby.
- Don’t light fireworks indoors.
- Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands or ignite devices in a container.
- Never use fireworks when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- Use fireworks away from people, buildings, and flammable materials.
- Don’t point or throw fireworks at another person.
- Only light one firework at a time, maintaining a safe distance after lighting. If the firework malfunctions, don’t try to re-light or handle it.
- Soak spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding them. Keep a container of water nearby to fully extinguish any fireworks that don’t go off; this is also important in case of fire.
A Note on Sparklers
Sparkers are more dangerous than you may realize. They burn at about 2,000 degrees, which is hot enough to melt some metals. Clothing can ignite quickly and children have experienced severe burns from dropping sparklers on their feet. Sparklers should only be used under close adult supervision. Safer alternatives include glow sticks, confetti poppers, and colored streamers.
If you or a loved one has been injured, contact the Schuerman Law office today. Schuerman Law has been working with personal injury claims for over 40 years. John Schuerman will compassionately advocate for injured individuals as well as their families while fighting for full compensation of their claims. Schuerman Law offers evening and weekend appointments in addition to home and hospital visits. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 1-800-274-0045.
