Fireworks Safety
Jan 21, 2015
Story
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.
http://www.remedylife.com/general/articles/content?cid=2030&ctid=2