Fire Safety Tips
Fireworks Safety
To help you celebrate safely this Fourth of July, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) and the National Council on Fireworks Safety offer the following safety tips:
- Always read and follow label directions.
- Have an adult present.
- Buy from reliable sellers.
- Use outdoors only.
- Always have water handy (a garden hose and a bucket).
- Never experiment or make your own fireworks.
- Light only one firework at a time.
- Never re-light a "dud" firework (wait 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water).
- Never give fireworks to small children.
- If necessary, store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
- Dispose of fireworks properly by soaking them in water overnight and then disposing of them in your trashcan.
- Never throw or point fireworks at other people.
- Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
- Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.
- The shooter should always wear eye protection and never have any part of the body over the firework.
- Stay away from illegal explosives.
Some statistics from the 9,600 reported fireworks related injury cases in 2004:
- Eyes and head/face were the second most commonly injured parts of the body with an estimated 1,400 fireworks-related injuries of each type treated last year. The hands were the most commonly injured body part (2,200 cases).
- Data shows that bystanders are more often injured by fireworks than the people who set them off.
- 40 percent of the injuries were to children 15 and younger. Males suffered three times the number of injuries as females (75 percent). Children 5 to 9 years in age have the highest injury rate for fireworks-related injuries (30 percent).
- Firecrackers and sparklers were the top contributors to fireworks injuries. And, half of the 700 injuries to children 5 years old and younger were from sparklers.
- The U.S.
Consumer Product Commission reported that eight people
were killed by fireworks-related incidents in 2004.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission still estimates that in 2004 about 9,600 people were treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with fireworks. Over half the injuries were burns and most of the injuries involved the hands, eyes, and head. About half of the victims were under 15 years of age.
Fireworks should be used only with extreme caution. Older children should be closely supervised, and younger children should not be allowed to play with fireworks.
Before using fireworks, make sure they are permitted in your state or local area. Many states and local governments prohibit or limit consumer fireworks, formerly known as class C fireworks, which are common fireworks and firecrackers sold for consumer use. Consumer fireworks include shells and mortars, multiple tube devices, Roman Candles, rockets, sparklers, firecrackers with no more than 50 milligrams of powder and novelty items such as snakes, airplanes, ground spinners, helicopters, fountains, and party poppers.
