Fireworks safety tips

The National Safety Council encourages everyone to attempt to enjoy fireworks at public displays conducted by professionals, if possible.  According to a new report from the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC),an estimated 10,200 individuals were involved in incidents involving fireworks in 2022.

If consumer fireworks are legal to buy and use where you live, the NSC provides the following safety tips:

Never allow young children to handle fireworks, and older children should use them only under close adult supervision.

Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol, and never light them indoors.

Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear, and only use them away from people, houses and flammable material.

Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands, and never point or throw fireworks at another person.

Only light one device at a time and always maintain a safe distance after lighting.  Do not attempt to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.

Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding, and always keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire.

The NSC also wants to remind people that sparklers are a lot more dangerous than most people think.  Sparklers burn at about 2,000 degrees, which is hot enough to melt some metals.  According to the National Fire Protection Association, sparklers account for more than 25% of emergency visits for fireworks injuries, and for children under 5 years of age, sparklers accounted for nearly half of the total estimated injuries.

For more information, visit www.nsc.org.