4th of July Fireworks Safety Tips: How to Avoid Injuries and Fires

Officials say an average of 180 people go to the emergency room with firework-related injuries each day in the weeks leading up to and after Independence Day, and more than 16,000 reported fires are started by fireworks annually. Additionally, around two-thirds of all annual firework injuries occur around the 4th of July. Most injuries are burns and are associated with familiar devices such as sparklers.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission offers the following tips to stay safe:

• Do not allow small children to play with firecrackers. Sparklers, a type of firework often considered by many to be the ideal ‘safe’ device for children, burn at very high temperatures and should not be touched by young children.
• Older children should only be allowed to use fireworks under close adult supervision. Do not allow running or fooling around.
• Set off fireworks outdoors in an open area away from houses, dry leaves or grass, and other combustible materials.
• Keep a bucket of water handy for emergencies and for pouring fireworks that don’t light or explode.
• Do not attempt to relight or handle faulty fireworks. Soak them in water and throw them away.
• Make sure other people are out of range before setting off fireworks.
• Never light fireworks in containers, especially glass or metal containers.
• Keep unused fireworks away from firing ranges.
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
• Check directions for special storage instructions.
• Observe local laws.
• Never hold any part of your body directly over a firework while lighting it.
• Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.

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Also, do not use fireworks if you are under the influence of alcohol, and make sure all burning materials are completely extinguished afterwards.