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4th of July Fireworks Safety

Published: Thursday, July 1, 2010

By Wendi Hope Hager, Editor

The 4th of July holiday will be filled with picnics, barbecues and parties – all festivities that usually include fireworks. Although it is against the law in many areas to set off fireworks, many areas still allow it. It is best to leave any fireworks to the professionals. However, if you decide you would like to set them off yourself, it is extremely important to follow these safety rules and avoid any fireworks-related injuries or fires this holiday.

According to Emergency and Trauma Services at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, 7,000 fireworks-related injuries were treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms in 2008. Fireworks injuries are most common to extremities including hands, fingers, legs, arms, shoulders and wrists. Other areas commonly injured are head and eyes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that injuries occur for many reasons such as being too close, availability (make sure you purchase from a reputable fireworks vendor), use of various types of fireworks (may be legal but still dangerous such as bottle rockets), lack of physical coordination, experimentation with homemade fireworks and curious children. For all of these reasons and more, it is important to follow the fireworks safety rules if you are going to launch them yourself.

Fireworks Statistics U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated 7,000 people for fireworks injuries in 2008 42% of those injuries were children <15. Fireworks caused an estimated 32,600 reported fires including 1,700 total structure fires, 600 vehicle fires, and 30,300 outside fires Devices such as sparklers, roman candles, and novelties' accounted for 40% of injuries. Firecrackers caused 18% of injuries. Serious injuries included eye injuries, finger and hand amputations and head injuries. Most common injury is burns followed by contusions, lacerations and foreign bodies Most often injured is hands, eyes, head and face Fireworks can be associated with blindness, 3rd degree burns and permanent scarring

• Obey all local laws regarding fireworks usage.
• Make sure the area you are launching fireworks in is cleared of trees, houses, people, animals, dry leaves and other flammable materials. Cleared area needs 40 feet for aerial devices and 20 feet of clearance for ground/fountain displays. Do not watch from all sides as it is too difficult to watch participants if the display is surrounded.
• Keep a bucket of water or hose readily available.
• Use fireworks outdoors only and not on windy days.
• Light fireworks on a smooth, hard, flat surface. If on lumber, soak the lumber with water first.
• Do not light more than one at a time and never lean over them.
• Use a long-tipped lighter for lighting fireworks to keep hands and faces away from fuses.
• Follow all warnings and directions on fireworks.
• Purchase fireworks only from a licensed store or stand.
• Wear eye protection and closed-toe shoes including with sparklers. Tie hair back and do not wear loose fitting clothing. Also remember that the static electricity in synthetic clothing can ignite fireworks. Those who make fireworks wear cotton all the way down to their undergarments.
• Do not put fireworks in your pocket.
• Never allow children to light fireworks.
• Do not try to relight fireworks that didn’t work. Wait at least 20 minutes and then put it in a bucket of water.
• Do not use metal or glass containers to shoot fireworks.
• Do not throw or point fireworks at other people. Don't hold a child while lighting them including sparklers. 
• Never alter any fireworks or try to make them yourself.
• Do not drink or smoke and light fireworks. Have a designated person.
• Dispose of all fireworks by soaking them in water first.
• Sparklers should only be handled by older children with direct adult supervision.
• As a courtesy, tell your neighbors you will be setting off fireworks. Some pets and children can be afraid.
  

 

Fireworks are against city and county ordinances in Knoxville and Knox County. If you live outside of Knox County, check with your local city or county for its specific ordinances pertaining to fireworks.

Following the above rules will help prevent fireworks-related injuries and help you have a great 4th of July. Remember, sparklers, snakes and other novelties are still fireworks and can reach 1,200 degrees Farenheight (hot enough to cause a 3rd degree burn) and should be used with the same caution as other fireworks. If there is a fireworks injury, fire or other emergency, please call 911 immediately.