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Fireworks
Safety
The summer heat,
the smell of hamburgers on the grill, and the sound of fireworks
can only mean one thing: it's the Fourth of July. Before your family
celebrates this year, make sure everyone knows about fireworks safety.
Did you know
that fireworks-related injuries sent 8,500 people to the hospital
in 1999? According to the National Council on Fireworks Safety,
most of these were burns and eye injuries, and more than 40% occurred
in children younger than 15.
The best thing you can do to protect yourself and others is not
to use any fireworks at home - period. Attend public fireworks displays,
and leave the lighting to the professionals.
Lighting fireworks
at home isn't even legal in many areas, so if you still want to
use them, be sure to check with your local police department first.
If they're legal where you live, keep these tips safety tips in
mind:
- Children
should never play with fireworks. Things like firecrackers, rockets,
and spinners are just too dangerous. If you give your child a
sparkler, make sure he keeps it outside and away from his face,
clothing and hair. Sparklers can reach 1800 degrees Fahrenheit
- hot enough to melt gold - and according to Prevent Blindness
America, is the second leading cause of fireworks injuries requiring
trips to the emergency room.
- Buy only
legal fireworks (legal fireworks have a label with the manufacturer's
name and directions; illegal ones are unlabeled), and store them
in a cool, dry place. Illegal fireworks usually go by the names
M-80, M100, blockbuster or quarter pounder. These explosives were
banned in 1966, but still account for one third of all fireworks
injuries.
- Never try
to make your own fireworks.
- Always use
fireworks outside and have a bucket of water and a hose nearby
in case of accidents.
- Steer clear
of others - fireworks have been known to backfire or shoot off
in the wrong direction. Never throw or point fireworks at someone,
even in jest.
- Don't hold
fireworks in your hand or have any part of your body over them
while lighting. Wear some sort of eye protection, and avoid carrying
fireworks in your pocket - the friction could set them off.
- Point fireworks
away from homes, and keep away from brush and leaves and flammable
substances. The National Fire Protection Association estimates
that local fire departments respond to more 50,000 fires caused
by fireworks each year.
- Light one
firework at a time (not in glass or metal containers), and never
relight a dud.
- Don't allow
children to pick up pieces of fireworks after an event. Some may
still be ignited and can explode at any time.
- Soak all
fireworks in a bucket of water before throwing them in the trash
can.
- Think about
your pet. Animals have sensitive ears and can be extremely frightened
or stressed on the Fourth of July. Keep your pet indoors to reduce
the risk that he will run loose or injure himself.
If fireworks
injure someone, immediately get them to a doctor or hospital. If
an eye injury occurs, don't touch or rub it, as this may cause even
more damage. Also, don't flush the eye out with water or attempt
to put any ointment on it. Instead, cut out the bottom of a paper
cup, place it around the eye and immediately seek medical attention
- their eyesight may depend on it. If it's a burn, remove clothing
from the burned area and run cool, not cold, water over the burn
(do not use ice). Call their doctor immediately.
Fireworks are
to be enjoyed, but you'll enjoy them much more knowing your family
and friends are safe. Take extra precautions this Fourth of July
and your holiday will be a blast!
For additional
information see: http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/outdoor/fireworks.html
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