Fireworks on the Fourth: Reducing the Risk

With the Fourth of July around the corner, it is a certainty that many citizens of Northwest Indiana will be setting off fireworks in the coming days and weeks. Avoid being one of the estimated 5,000-10,000 people treated in the emergency room each year following an incident involving fireworks. The National Safety Council estimates that about one third of these injuries stemmed from small firecrackers, with bottle rockets and sparklers each accounting for another one fifth of the total. For those who choose to celebrate this Fourth of July using legal fireworks, follow the tips below to reduce the risk to yourself and others:

• Do not allow young children to use fireworks.
• Light any fireworks away from houses and any flammable material.
• Light one firework at a time and move to a safe distance after it is lit.
• Keep a hose, bucket of water or fire extinguisher nearby.
• Soak malfunctioning fireworks in water and dispose of them safely.

Visit http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/pdf/public%20education/fireworkssafetytips.pdf for more tips on fireworks safety.