Posted by Tanika on 6/27/2016 to Articles

They elicit a lot of oohs and aahs, as they light up the sky with brilliant colors and designs. Kids are both startled and entertained by the loud sounds that they produce. As beautiful and entertaining as they may be, fireworks can also be very dangerous. A 2012 U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission report indicated that 6 fireworks related deaths and 8,700 injuries occurred that year.

June was established as Fireworks Safety Month and is a good time to learn or brush up on safety tips before the 4th of July.

The National Council On Fireworks Safety offers the following recommendations:

  • Obey local laws related to fireworks usage
  • Read all of the labels and performance descriptions before lighting the fireworks
  • Fireworks activity should have adult supervision
  • Don't drink alcohol and operate fireworks
  • Wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks
  • Light one firework at a time and then move back
  • Don't try to relight a firework that doesn't work the first time
  • Keep a bucket of water and a water hose nearby
  • Don't shoot fireworks into metal or glass containers
  • Use them outside, away from buildings and vehicles
  • Don't experiment with homemade fireworks
  • Wet used fireworks and place in a metal trash can away from buildings and combustible materials until the next day

Whether you are watching a fireworks display or operating the fireworks, be safe and enjoy.