Spending time with friends and family, firing up the grill, hanging out by the pool; July 4th is known for many things … but none more so than fireworks. The holiday just isn’t complete until the fireworks have been lit.
Amid the euphoria of all that dynamite, the last thing you want to worry about is someone getting injured.
Below you’ll find some useful safety tips and precautions that will help you get the most out of your fireworks, while minimizing risk.
Choose a good location: You never want to light fireworks indoors, and you should make sure that there are no obstructions like power lines above the area you intend to use. Ideally, a good spot would be a clear open field that is a significant distance away from cars and buildings.
Ignite with care: Always read the instructions on the fireworks packaging before proceeding to light them. You should never position yourself over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Lastly, only light one firework at a time to prevent unsafe explosions.
Beware of duds: After lighting the fuse, back up to a safe distance. If the fireworks device hasn’t gone off, the last thing you want to do is attempt to relight the fuse as the fireworks device may have a delayed fuse. Instead, wait 20 minutes and soak the fireworks device in water before getting rid of it.
Watch your kids: Young children should never be allowed to play with or ignite fireworks. While it’s common to hand out sparklers to children, you should always supervize their use. Sparklers burn at temperatures in excess of 1,600 degrees and children often suffer from sparkler-related injuries.
Keep water nearby: In case of an accident, you want to make sure that you’ll be able to put out a fire should one occur. Have a garden hose or a bucket of water at the ready. You’ll also want to douse your used fireworks with water before throwing them in the trash to prevent a fire.
Be mindful of the law: While fireworks are legal in 42 states, your area may have special provisions regarding the use of fireworks. To avoid getting in trouble, be sure to check with your local law authority to see if you’re allowed to set off fireworks and what restrictions, if any, you should be mindful of.
