Fireworks Safety

This July 4th, protect your family from accidental injury from fireworks. Over 60 percent of injuries from fireworks occur in and around the home--and bystanders are often the victims. So why not go to a public fireworks display instead of hosting one yourself?

For those who do decide to use fireworks at home, the American Society of Ocular Trauma offers these tips and cautions:

Handling Fireworks

• Never use illegal or \"homemade\" fireworks.


• Read and follow manufacturers' label instructions on legal, consumer fireworks. Fireworks without these labels should not be used!


• Never try to re-light malfunctioning fireworks.


• Always have a fire extinguisher or a large container of water on hand to douse fireworks that misfire.

Protect Yourself and Spectators

• Never use bottle rockets! Almost 70 percent of eye injuries due to fireworks occur to those who launch or watch bottle rockets.


• Never put fireworks in glass containers, tin cans or clay pots, since these objects can shatter.
  
  
  
  
  • Don't give sparklers to small children. Kids may be tempted to touch the bright tip, which burns at a whopping 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit, hot enough to cause third degree burns. Clothing may also catch fire.
  
  


• Children should never pick up fireworks that may be left over, since they may still be active.


• Both fireworks users and spectators should wear safety glasses or safety goggles (not all goggles offer the same amount of protection).


• Never allow young children to play with fireworks.


• Provide close adult supervision if older children use fireworks.

Get more summer fire safety tips.
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