How to be Safe around Fireworks

It’s the 4th of July and you can expect to see fireworks. It’s a celebration, anyway, and it’s more enjoyable with friends and family members enjoying steaks, barbecue, burgers, and even salad! But before you feast your eyes on your 4th-of-July dinner, you must take extra precautions because fireworks pose dangers that can ruin your celebration. Here are some ways on how to be safe around fireworks:

  1. Ask those who will hold fireworks like roman candles to make sure that it is not pointed to any person or property to avoid burns or fire. Do not be ashamed of giving ‘lectures’ before you distribute these pieces. As the saying goes, “It is better to be safe than sorry.”
  1. See to it that you have big bucket of water available near the area where you will light fireworks. Right after lighting one, throw it into the water. This is an important step because this will help avoid fire on the grass or anywhere in the area.
  1. Buy fireworks only from trusted sources to ensure their quality. Legal fireworks are those that carry labels (manufacturer’s name and directions for use). Think twice before spending on low-cost brands or you may be sorry in the end. Do not even think about making your own.
  1. As much as possible, do not allow kids to hold firecrackers. Explain to them that these are not for young children. Tell them to just watch as the sky lights up with fireworks.
  1. In case one item does not work, throw it into the water. Never try to light it again.
  1. Do not forget your pet. It is this time of the year when animals are stressed or scared; they have sensitive ears. Let them stay indoors to avoid this. You may also ask the advice of a veterinarian to keep your pet in peace while you take pleasure in the occasion.
  1. Never think about putting firecrackers into your pocket. Friction may cause it blaze. Wear eye protection when lighting one, as much as possible.
  1. A better option to keep you safe from fireworks is to not have them in your own backyard. You can just rely on public fireworks display. You do not only save on cost; you also make sure that there will be no injuries or accidents in your home as you and your family celebrate the 4th of July.

According to USA.gov, “Two hundred people on average go to the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July 4th holiday. Sixty-five percent of these fireworks injuries in 2011 occurred during the month surrounding July 4th. Illegal and homemade fireworks were involved in all four fireworks-related deaths reported to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in 2011.” Do not turn fun times into disaster by not knowing how to be safe around fireworks. It pays to have safety measures ready before you go on celebrating the 4th of July.