While July 4th is always a time of fun, friends and family, it is also a time of preventable fireworks-related injuries. [Download our comprehensive fireworks safety infographic to share with your community by filling out the form on this page]
When my good friend began screaming that he could not see, I knew something was seriously wrong. A bottle rocket had just exploded in front of his face, causing superficial and partial thickness burns around his left eye. Fortunately, he had a normal return of vision.
According to a Consumer Product Safety Commission study, an average of 280 people visit the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the weeks surrounding the July 4th holiday. Children suffer injuries at a disproportionate rate. EMS agencies and personnel should join the CDC and other injury prevention agencies to reduce fireworks-related injuries.
Download our fireworks safety infographic and share these tips with your community to reduce fireworks-related injuries:
- Follow all local ordinances regarding sales, purchasing and use of fireworks
- Only sober and competent adults should be handling and lighting fireworks
- Follow fireworks guidelines for establishing a hot zone where only the adult lighting the fireworks is allowed
- Wear hearing, eye and hand protection when lighting fireworks to lessen risk of injury from noise, flames or shrapnel
- Never launch fireworks towards any person or animal
- Position observers a safe distance that is upwind from any launching, burning or falling fireworks
- Do not handle any fireworks that are burning, smoldering or smoking
- Do not light fireworks in or near buildings, debris or other structures that could easily catch fire
Read more
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This article was originally posted July 1, 2009. It has been updated with new information.