Celebrate Safely At Home This 4th Of July

Fireworks are an integral part of today's celebration of the Fourth of July. But if you're planning on setting off the red, white and blue in the sky tonight, please be mindful of the safety of your family and friends. Fireworks are very dangerous and can be easily mistaken for toys. It is important to be aware of fireworks safety before making them part of your celebrations.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, the authority on fire, electrical and building safety, each July Fourth, thousands of people, most often children and teenagers, are injured using consumer fireworks, and very few people are aware of the associated risks, which include painful burns, other injuries and even death. Some teens don’t understand that they might not only injure themselves when setting off a firework, but they can also unintentionally injure those nearby as well as cause fires. The NFPA states that, in 2011, fireworks were responsible for about 17,800 reported fires, with 9,600 firework-related injuries treated in US hospital emergency rooms. Some of these injures stemmed from the use of sparklers and other novelties that are more dangerous than people realize.

The American Pyrotechnic Association is the source for 2015 fireworks control laws for every state. According to its directory, there are 42 states that do allow some type of consumer fireworks. Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts don’t allow any consumer fireworks; Illinois, Iowa, Ohio and Vermont only allow sparklers. Unfortunately, some people are unaware of these bans or just ignore them and light fireworks during their celebrations anyway. Make sure you’re aware of what your state permits so that you're not doing anything illegal.

Keep in mind that even in states that permit fireworks, certain towns and municipalities have their own restrictions; some designate specific time slots for lighting fireworks to minimize disturbing the public.

When lighting fireworks, follow key safety steps. Make sure you’re in a wide, open area, away from people who could get in its path. Also stay away from tall, grassy areas and wooden (shake) rooftops. Even a small bottle rocket can ignite a fire very rapidly if you’re careless. Also, many people don’t realize that, when setting off fireworks or using sparklers in high temperatures, the dry heat makes fire travel faster. If you live in a windy area, drifting ashes can start a fire very quickly.

The National Council of Firework Safety, a charitable organization whose mission is to educate the public on the safe and responsible use of consumer fireworks, offer this list of safety tips to reduce the numbers of injuries this July 4^th and beyond:

• Obey local laws. If fireworks are not legal where you live, do not use them.
• Know your fireworks. Read the caution label before igniting.
• Fireworks should only be used outdoors.
• Always have water ready if you are shooting fireworks.
• Parents and caretakers should always closely supervise children and teens if they are using fireworks.
• Parents should not allow young children to handle or use fireworks.
• Alcohol and fireworks do not mix.
• Wear safety glasses whenever using fireworks.
• Never relight a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water to destroy safely.
• Soak spent fireworks with water before placing them in an outdoor garbage can.
• Avoid using homemade fireworks or illegal explosives: They can kill you!
• Report illegal explosives, like M-80s and quarter sticks, to the fire or police department.

And note these special safety tips if using sparklers:

• 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.
• Never throw sparklers.
• Sparkler wires and sticks remain hot long after the flame has gone out. Be sure to drop spent sparklers in a bucket of water.
• Teach children not to wave sparklers or run, while holding sparklers.

TotalHousehold.com wishes you and your family a happy and safe July 4^th!

Photo by Ricky Kharawala.