Fireworks Safety

July is filled with festivities – parades, barbeques, and fireworks galore! With $1.09 billion spent on fireworks in 2015 –$755 million dollars was spent in the consumer firework market (according to the American Pyrotechnics Association).
So what are consumer fireworks?

Consumer fireworks are those that average citizens use. Examples include Sparklers, Bottle Rockets, Firecrackers, Roman Candles, etc. According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, in 2015, the United States consumer fireworks market used 260.7 million pounds. That’s A LOT of fireworks!

Did you know…
Fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires per year? These fires cause an average of three deaths, 40 civilian injuries, and $43 million in direct property damage (National Fire Protection Agency).
In 2015, the Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated 11,900 people in the U.S. were treated at hospital emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries? 51% of those injuries were to the extremities and 41% to the head. Children younger than 15 years of age accounted for one-quarter (26%) of the estimated 2015 injuries.

More fires are reported on July 4 than any other day of the year?
What can you do to stay safe?

It is important to practice safety measures when using fireworks. Here are some recommended safety tips from the National Council for Firework Safety:

1. Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks.
2. Know your fireworks; read the cautionary labels and performance descriptions before igniting.
3. A responsible adult should supervise all firework activities.
4. Never give fireworks to children.
5. Alcohol and fireworks do not mix - save your alcohol for after the show.
6. Wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks.
7. Light one firework at a time and quickly move away from it.
8. Use fireworks outdoors in a clear area - away from buildings and vehicles.
9. Never relight a “dud” firework - wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
10. Always have a bucket of water and a readily-available water hose nearby.
11. Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
12. Do not shoot fireworks into METAL or GLASS containers.
13. Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.
14. Dispose of spent fireworks by wetting them down and placing them in a metal trash can away from any building or combustible materials until the next day.
15. Report illegal explosives, like M-80s and quarter sticks, to the fire or police department.