This month we’ve published a number of tips as part of National Safety Month. We’ve made a checklist for kids to have a healthy and safe summer break and listed tips for water and traffic safety. As we approach the Fourth of July holiday weekend, it’s important to remember to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and practice water and vehicle safety, as well as to review tips to stay safe around fireworks.
The following list of fireworks safety tips was originally posted by SafeKids.org:
Leave Fireworks to the Professionals
- The best way to protect your family is to not use any fireworks at home. Instead, attend public fireworks displays and leave the lighting to the professionals.
- If you plan to use fireworks, make sure they are legal in your area.
Be Extra Careful With Sparklers
- Little arms are too short to hold sparklers, which can heat up to 1,200 degrees. How about this? Let your young children use glow sticks instead. They can be just as fun but they don’t burn at a temperature hot enough to melt glass.
- Closely supervise children around fireworks at all times.
Take Necessary Precautions
- Do not wear loose clothing while using fireworks.
- Never light fireworks indoors or near dry grass.
- Point fireworks away from homes, and keep away from brush, leaves and flammable substances.
Be Prepared for an Accident or Injury
- Stand several feet away from lit fireworks. If a device does not go off, do not stand over it to investigate it. Put it out with water and dispose of it.
- Always have a bucket of water and/or a fire extinguisher nearby. Know how to operate the fire extinguisher properly.
- If a child is injured by fireworks, immediately go to a doctor or hospital. If an eye injury occurs, don’t allow your child to touch or rub it, as this may cause even more damage.
By taking the right precautions when celebrating with fireworks, your holiday weekend will be filled with safe, family fun!
I really like that suggest to have little children hold glow sticks instead of sparklers. I had no idea they got so hot! I would think that giving the little children glow sticks would make them feel special as well. Every year my family has a huge barbecue at our house and we light sparklers and fireworks. I’ll definitely remember this the next time we do this.
I liked how you reminded me how you should always have a pail of water and a fire extinguisher nearby for any unexpected circumstances.
We plan to buy fireworks and set up a fireworks display for my graduation party this weekend, and we want to make sure we make the right choice.
I will show this to my partner to see how this can help us decide what to look for in a fireworks supplier when buying one.