Will you be using fireworks this week?
(Please be careful, use common sense and make sure the little ones don't use sparklers. Did you know those burn at 2,000 degrees. That's hot for little hands to hold.)
Also keep these tips and stats from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in mind.
Did you know in 2009 there were two deaths and nearly 9,000 emergency room visits for injuries resulting from fireworks related incidents?
Most fireworks injuries occurred to consumers younger than 20 and resulted in the loss of a limb in many cases.
- Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
- Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
- Avoid buying fireworks that come in brown paper packaging, as this can often be a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and could pose a danger to consumers.
- Adults should always supervise fireworks activities. Parents often don't realize that there are many injuries from sparklers to children under five. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals.
- Never have any portion of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Move back to a safe distance immediately after lighting.
- Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not fully functioned.
- Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
- Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
- Light one item at a time then move back quickly.
- Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
- After fireworks fully complete their functioning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding to prevent a trash fire