Fireworks Safety
Posted by admin on July 3rd, 2009. Published in The Emergency Room. Comment Here »
Fire safety is a broad category. Did you know that in a typical year more U.S. fires are reported on July 4th than on any other day, and that fireworks are the cause for more than half those fires? With our nation’s 233rd birthday right around the corner and fireworks already in full swing let’s take a look at some facts:
How are these injuries happening? Bottle rockets can fly into peoples’ faces and cause eye injuries. The tip of a sparkle burns at a temperature of more than 1200 degrees, hot enough to cause third degree burns and ignite clothing. Firecrackers can injure the hands or face if they explode at close range. It comes down to being too close, lack of coordination, curiosity, and experimentation. It can be all these things combined or just one of them but all it takes is a misguided or faulty firework and you can have problems.
With the exception of your pets, who may be a little freaked out by the sound of fireworks, play it safe and leave the fireworks demonstrations to the professionals. Instead, maybe give your kids some light sticks, light shapes or snaplights. They can be just as fun and they last longer.
Source: usfa.dhs.gov
