Fireworks Caution and Safety Tips

The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a warning to beware of illegal fireworks and adhere to fireworks safety at all times. From 2000 to 2006, nearly 50 people died in fireworks-related accidents, with more than half caused by illegal products.

In the one-month time period surrounding July 4th in 2006, fireworks sent 6,400 people to the emergency room. That’s over two-thirds of all fireworks-related emergency room visits for last year clustered into a few short summer weeks.

The CPSC has provided these safety guidelines to help consumers protect themselves:

• Never allow young children to play with fireworks.
• Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
• Fireworks in brown paper packaging are for professional shows and should be avoided.
• Sparklers injure children under age five more often than any other type of firework.
• Never have your body directly over a firework device when lighting the fuse.
• Move back to a safe distance immediately after lighting.
• Never re-light fireworks that have not fully functioned.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
• Light one item at a time and then move back quickly.
• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.