Stay Safe Around Fireworks This July 4th!

Fireworks are a festive way to celebrate special events and holidays, including Fourth of July. However, they are unsafe in the hands of everyday consumers and cause thousands of serious burns and eye injuries each year.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, fireworks are responsible for some 18,500 fires annually. In addition, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treat nearly 12,000 people for fireworks-related injuries each year, of which 25 percent are children younger than age 15. Even sparklers burn hot enough to cause third-degree burns, accounting for roughly one-quarter of the emergency room visits.

The best way for you and your family to enjoy fireworks safely is by attending a public show put on by experts. If consumer fireworks are still permitted in your community, be sure to obey all local laws regarding their purchase and use.

Here are some important safety tips from FireworksSafety.org:

• Read the cautionary labels and performance descriptions before igniting fireworks.

• Ensure an adult supervises all fireworks activities and never give fireworks to children.

• Save your alcohol for after the show, as alcohol and fireworks don’t mix.

• Wear safety glasses when igniting fireworks.

• Light one firework at a time and then quickly move away.

• Use fireworks outdoors in a clear area, away from buildings and vehicles.

• Never attempt to relight a firework. After 20 minutes, soak it in water before discarding.

• Always have a bucket of water and functional water hose in close proximity.

• Never ignite fireworks in a metal or glass container.

• Never carry fireworks in your pocket or experiment with homemade fireworks.

• Dispose of used fireworks by saturating with water and placing in a metal trash can until the next day.

And, please keep in mind these safety tips for your pets:

• Don’t bring your pets to a fireworks display, even a small one.

• If fireworks are being used near your home, put your pet in a safe, interior room to avoid exposure to the sound.

• Make sure your pet has an identification tag, just in case it runs off during a fireworks display.

• Never ignite fireworks of any kind (consumer fireworks, sparklers, fountains, etc.) near pets.

As Independence Day draws near, please exercise your freedom to attend a public fireworks display in your community! Remember, the best celebration is a safe celebration.

Pacific Federal is a subsidiary of Zenith American Solutions.