Fireworks Safety Reminders...Celebrate Safely!
Hospital news | Tuesday, June 29, 2021
Contact: Rebecca Green
Although fireworks can be exciting, festive and fun, remember that they can also be very dangerous. A majority of injuries from fireworks occur to the hands or fingers, legs, face and eyes. It is best to leave fireworks to the experts that are specially trained and certified so that you and your loved ones can have a safe and enjoyable holiday.
If you do decide to use fireworks, the following practices may help keep you safe:
- Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks. Young children can suffer injuries from sparklers, which burn at temperatures of about **2,000 degrees** – hotter than a blow torch and hot enough to melt some metals. As a safe alternative to sparklers, use glow sticks.
- Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
- Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
- Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands and never place any part of your body directly over a firework when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting a firework (only light one at a time).
- Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them from metal or glass containers.
- Never light fireworks indoors and only use them away from people, houses and flammable material.
- Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
- Soak all used fireworks in a bucket of water for a few hours before discarding them. Never discard fireworks, including used ones, in a fire pit.
- Avoid buying fireworks packaged in brown paper. This is often a sign they were made for professional use only.
- Don't forget that you can be held legally and financially liable for injuries and/or damages caused by using fireworks.
More fireworks safety tips are available on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website at cpsc.gov/fireworks. If you or someone you know is injured by a firework and in need of emergency care, call 911 or visit the CGH Emergency Department immediately. We are well-prepared to deliver high-quality emergency medical care 24/7, in the safest way possible.