We want to wish all of our friends and family a safe and happy 4th of July.

If fireworks are part of your 4th of July celebration this year please be aware that the National Safety Council advises everyone to enjoy fireworks at public displays conducted by professionals and not to use fireworks at home. They may be legal where you live but they are not considered safe. Fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires each year, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and nearly 17,000 other fires. 

Even sparklers are more dangerous than most people think. Sparklers burn at about 2,000 degrees. Sparklers can quickly ignite clothing and children have received severe burns from dropping sparklers on their feet. According to the National Fire Protection Association, sparklers alone account for more than 25% of emergency room visits for fireworks injuries. For children under 5 years of age, sparklers accounted for nearly half of the total estimated injuries. If you are looking for a way to have your children share in the 4th of July festivities consider using safer alternatives, such as glow sticks, confetti poppers or colored streamers.

If consumer fireworks are legal where you live and you plan to use them, please follow the safety tips below:

Firework Safety Tips

• Do not allow young children to handle fireworks.
• Older children should use them only under adult supervision.
• Do not use fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
• Wear protective eyewear when using fireworks or standing nearby.
• Do not hold lighted fireworks in your hands.
• Do not light fireworks indoors.
• Use them away from people, houses and flammable material.
• Do not point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Only light one firework device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting.
• Never ignite devices in a container.
• Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.
• Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding.
• Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don't go off or in case of fire.
• Do not use illegal fireworks.

Do you have any firework safety tips that we should add? Let us know in the comments! 

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