5 Tips To Keep Your Kids Safe With Fireworks

Independence Day (4th of July) brings about the use of fireworks.  While, there are laws in many municipalities against the use of personal fireworks, young adults and children still seem to find a  way to use them.  Likewise, these same young people find their way to emergency rooms with burns and other fireworks-related injuries.  Sometimes, even death occurs. 

As the parent, it is important to know the laws in your individual community.  If fireworks are illegal where you live, choose to enjoy a professional fireworks show instead.  If fireworks are allowed (many allow them on the 4th of July or during the days just before or after the 4th), there are tips to follow in order to stay safe:

1. Find an open area to shoot off the fireworks, away from cars, trees and houses.  Never use fireworks inside.  It's best to avoid lighting fireworks in the street.  If you shoot them off in the middle of the street, there are two main dangers:  children can become excited and run in front of a moving vehicle; and oncoming traffic may drive over a firework as it ignites.
2. Have a water source, such as a garden hose, close by to extinguish any fuses that don't quite fire correctly and to make sure any burning pieces are completely extinguished.  Fill a bucket half to 3/4 of the way full of water and put the used debris inside to douse them after they have cooled off enough to touch.  If a firework is a dud (refuses to ignite), wait at least 20 minutes before handling it.  Then, dunk it in a bucket of water.
3. Sparklers are considered a child's firework, but they are also the cause of many emergency room visits due to burns.  The National Council of Fireworks warns that they are only to be used with children over the age of 12.  They also suggest that you always use adult supervision when using sparklers with children, and never hold a child in your arms while holding or lighting a sparkler.  Additionally, they warn to stand, and never sit, when enjoying a sparkler.  They also suggest standing 6 feet or more from a lit sparkler held by someone other than you.
4. Bottle rocket and firecracker wars are a popular game among some young people, but is very dangerous and risky.  Never throw a bottle rocket or throw a lit firework from a moving vehicle or directly toward another person.  Do not hold a lit firework, bottle rocket or firecracker in your hand. Especially, avoid contact with the face and eyes.
5. Never make or ignite a home-made firework.  Deaths have occurred when using this kind of explosive device.