5 Fireworks Safety Tips That Might Surprise You

The 4th of July is right around the corner and that only means one thing: fireworks.

Lighting up the night sky with grandiose bursts of color and sound brings out the kid in us all, and every once in awhile, recklessness. Although fun, these products are still explosives, and thus dangerous.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 200 people visit the emergency room with firework-related injuries every year. Keeping that in mind, the CPSC outlines several precautions to consider before grabbing the lighter, in order to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

Tip #1: Avoid buying fireworks packaged in brown paper
Most people are completely unaware of this little tidbit of information: fireworks packaged in brown paper, is a sign they were made for professional displays, and could be dangerous to the average consumer. You know, the massive, brilliant shows at baseball games and city celebrations? They usually need to be ignited on a mechanical board. So unless you do this for a living, it’s probably best to leave them on the shelf.

Tip #2: Always have an adult-supervised activity
Many parents do not realize that most injuries involving children come from sparklers. Many believe these to be a safe bet, frankly, because they do not explode. However, sparklers burn at temperatures exceeding 2,000 degrees-hot enough to melt most metals.

Tip #3: Never re-light a dud
If a firework fails to ignite properly, there could be a break between the fuse and powder. This does not mean you should try to fix the issue or re-light the product. Doing so is potentially dangerous, as a consumer can easily ignite exposed material resulting in unwarranted explosion or injury.

Tip #4: Keep a bucket of water or hose nearby
Of course, when using fireworks, you are dealing with lighting materials on fire. Therefore, it is always smart to keep a water source nearby in case of emergency.

Tip #5: Make sure fireworks are legal in your area
Unfortunately, fireworks aren’t legal in every state, and rarely inside city limits. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check your local and state laws regarding these products. Often, permission is mandatory in order to avoid fines.

If you think you’re well versed on fireworks safety, consider heading over to www.fireworkssafety.org and take the Quiz. If you have kids, let them join you. Doing so will give them the information needed in order to stay safe during the holiday. Fireworks are a brilliant expression of summer fun.

By using common sense and taking a few precautions, you can actively get the most out of your 4th of July celebration. Now that we have all that covered, keep your eyes to the sky and enjoy the show!