July 3, 2012
On July 4, 1776 the estimated number of people living in our newly independent nation totaled 2.5 million. Today, about 313.9 million will celebrate our nation’s independence with traditional parades, food, fireworks and fun. While participating in these festivities, many unknowingly let their guard down. Please remember to keep you and your family safe this 4th of July when using fireworks.
Below are firework safety tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:
- Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
- Avoid buying fireworks that are packages in brown paper because this if often a sign that fireworks were made for professional displays and they could pose a danger to consumers.
- Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don’t realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals.
- Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
- Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
- 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 fireworks one at a time, them move back quickly.
- Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
- After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent devise with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.
- Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.