Outdoor Fun and Fireworks Safety

Outdoor Fun and Fireworks Safety

Summer is a time of outdoor fun and family gatherings. One thing that everyone loves to see in the summertime is fireworks. Public displays of fireworks are common, and many people enjoy fireworks at home. While fireworks are exciting and fun, care is needed to make sure that no one is injured.

Each year about 55 million pounds of fireworks are sold. Two-thirds of those fireworks are for private use by people at their homes. Certain kinds of fireworks, such as sparklers, are legal in 32 states as well as the District of Columbia. It is important to remember that fireworks are not toys. Regulations were put in place by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in 1976 to regulate the sell of fireworks and protect the public from illegal fireworks. Illegal fireworks are very dangerous and are known as M100s, M-80s, quarterpounders and blockbusters. These kinds of fireworks have been banned since 1966. Fireworks that are legal and regulated will have labels with the item name, manufacturer or distributor name, and easy to read safety precautions and instructions. Illegal fireworks have no labels. Remember that it is illegal for professional fireworks to be sold to consumers and to sell mail-order kits that allow people to make their own fireworks, as this is very dangerous. Even with regulations, there are more than 450 million illegal fireworks seized at docks across the United States every year.

Fireworks are a lot of fun, but it should really be left to the professionals to shoot fireworks because every year, there are thousands of injuries caused by fireworks. Most injuries are preventable and come from the misuse of fireworks rather than from ones that malfunction; 92% come from fireworks that pass federal regulations. Sparklers, considered by many to be safe for children, and bottle rockets account for many injuries that require emergency treatment. Bottle rockets are the leading cause of eye injuries that require the removal of the entire eye. Sparklers should never be handled by children under 12, as they can reach 1800 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot enough to melt gold. 

Children under the age of 15 suffer more than half the injuries caused by fireworks every year. About 120 of those injuries are finger and hand amputations. Other kinds of injuries include burns, cuts, fractures, and punctures. Burns often require surgical treatment, because they usually have gunpowder residue, ash, and cardboard fibers in the burn, which can cause infections. Burns usually occur on the hands, fingers, and face. Sparklers cause the most fireworks injuries in children under five, and about 1,000 preschool age children and 3,000 five to fourteen year olds end up in the emergency room every year from fireworks accidents.

Fire is another big risk when people use fireworks at home. There are more fires on July 4 than on any other day of the year. Most of these fires are caused by fireworks. In 2008 alone, fires caused $42 million worth of property damage, 1,400 structure fires, 500 vehicle fires, and 20,600 outside and other fires. Clothing can easily catch on fire when handling fireworks, and this can lead to severe burns and even death.

If you are planning to use fireworks at home, it's important to be very careful. Make sure that there is a designated shooter – people who have been drinking or using any kind of drugs should never shoot off fireworks. The shooter should wear safety glasses and should always think ahead. Fireworks can easily backfire, or shoot off in an unexpected direction. Even gusts of wind can change where fireworks will land. The shooter should also make sure that all spectators are a safe distance away and that no one moves too close. Always remember to keep fireworks away from flammable objects such as bushes and houses and use them outside only. If you're in a public place to see a display, keep away from the firing site and never use sparklers around a crowd.

Never try to use fireworks made at home. This is extremely dangerous and can even prove deadly. Never combine or alter fireworks; always use them as intended. Fireworks should only be lit one at a time and never in a glass or metal container. Fireworks should not be carried in pockets; the friction of the cloth can actually ignite them. Never point fireworks at other people or at animals and do not hold them to light them as this can cause serious injury. Since pets can easily become frightened by fireworks, make sure to keep them put up so they don't run away or accidentally become injured.

Always have water handy, either as a hose that is turned on or a bucket. This way any fires that have started can be put out. Never light a dud. Instead, wait 20 minutes and then soak the dud in a bucket of water. Any pieces of fireworks should be soaked in water as well. They can still explode, so they should never be picked up and handled. Before any fireworks are thrown away, make sure that they are soaked in water.

If anyone is injured from fireworks, they should be taken to the doctor or hospital immediately. Burns should have cool water, not cold, run over them and any clothing from around the burn should be removed. Eye injuries should not be rubbed, touched, flushed, or have ointment put on them. Instead, cut the bottom out of a paper cup and hold it around the eye. Seek immediate medical attention. Most injuries that are caused fireworks require emergency treatment so it's a good idea to have someone near a phone at all times.

Fireworks are beautiful and fun, but they can also be dangerous. If used carefully, fireworks can be the perfect way for a family to have fun in the summer. Use common sense and follow the safety instructions on fireworks to make sure that the displays are fun, and don't end in disaster.

The following is a list of links that contain more information about fireworks, safety, and first aid. There is also information about statistics and laws. The names of illegal fireworks are also included in the links.

KidSource Online – Information about fireworks dangers and tips to enjoy fireworks safely.

Patrick Henry High School Fireworks Safety – Information page for students about how to enjoy fireworks safely, both at home and at public displays.

KidsHealth Fireworks Safety – Safety tips about using fireworks with links to more information for parents, kids, and teens.

Consumer Reports – Fireworks facts, figures, and safety tips.

National Fire Protection Association – Safety tips, figures, and links to more information about fireworks safety.

Baptist Memorial Health Care Fireworks Safety – Safety tips and other information about safely enjoying fireworks and avoiding child injuries.

West Virginia Fireworks Safety – Page from the governor of West Virginia with facts and important tips to enjoy fireworks safely.

UAB Medicine Fireworks Safety – Information about the most common fireworks injuries, illegal fireworks, and safety tips.

Penn State Fireworks Safety Tips – Tips and information about fireworks from Pennsylvania State University.

The National Council on Fireworks Safety – Links to safety tips, state laws, and more regarding fireworks.