National Fireworks Safety Council - Fireworks Safety
The National Fireworks Safety Council wants YOU to be safe while using fireworks.
Each year there are many injuries, some life threatening, from the use of fireworks and sparklers. Below are a few tips that you should consider while enjoying your fireworks. Make sure that what you are doing will make this fourth of July celebration a memorable event and not one that could end in tragedy.
Review Our Safety Tips...
- Use fireworks outdoors only.
- Obey local laws. If fireworks are not legal where you live, do not use them.
- Always have water handy (a hose or bucket).
- Only use fireworks as intended. Don't try to alter them or combine them.
- Never relight a "dud" firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
- Use common sense. Spectators should keep a safe distance from the shooter and the shooter should wear safety glasses.
- Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Have a "designated shooter."
- Only persons over the age of 12 should be allowed to handle sparklers of any type.
- Do not ever use homemade fireworks of illegal explosives: They can kill you! Report illegal explosives to the fire or police department in your community.
- The National Council on Fireworks Safety invites you to celebrate our nation's heritage on the Forth of July, but celebrate safely.
Parents be Mindful of Sparklers
Sparklers are safe when used correctly. Using sparklers on our nation’s birthday is as traditional as cookouts and swimming and is equally safe if a few common sense rules are followed. But according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”), approximately 16% of all consumer fireworks injuries are caused by sparklers burning hands and legs, with the majority of sparkler injuries occurring to young children. These are injuries that would not have occurred if there had been close adult supervision and if some basic safety steps had been taken. The National Council on Fireworks Safety offers these safety steps for sparklers, in the hopes that sparkler injuries to young children can be greatly reduced.
- Children under the age of 12 should not use sparklers without very close adult supervision
- Always remain standing while using sparklers
- Never hold a child in your arms while using sparklers
- Never hold, or light, more than one sparkler at a time
- Sparklers and bare feet can be a painful combination. Always wear closed-toe shoes when using sparklers
- Sparkler wire and stick remain hot long after the flame has gone out. Be sure to drop the spent sparklers directly in a bucket of water.
- Never hand a lighted sparkler to another person. Give them the unlit sparkler and then light it.
- Always stand at least 6 feet from another person while using sparklers.
- Never throw sparklers.
- Show children how to hold sparklers away from their body and at arm's length.
- Teach children not to wave sparklers, especially wooden stick sparklers, or run while holding sparklers.
The National Council on Fireworks Safety urges Americans to be Sparkler Smart this Fourth of July in their holiday celebrations.
-- The National Council on Fireworks Safety, Inc.