Fireworks Safety
With the COVID-19 pandemic this year, we all know social distancing, so let's now embrace "fireworks distancing" as well. Celebrate this 4thof July safely. There is a great risk when setting off fireworks by yourself, instead of allowing a professional to handle them. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported 10,000 visits to emergency rooms due to fireworks injuries, mostly to the hands, legs and face. CPSC reports an average of 12 people die each year from fireworks. Fire Rescue knows these injuries all too well. Please adhere to safety guidelines.
Preparation:
- Keep a bucket of water or water hose on and ready to put out duds and soak fireworks before throwing them away.
- Keep lighters, matches, and fireworks away from young children to avoid unintentional burns.
- Do not drink alcohol. It slows reaction time and affects judgement.
Fireworks Ignition:
- Wear closed-toed shoes.
- Designate ONE person to ignite. Everyone else should watch as far away as possible or inside watching through a window.
- Extend arms far away from the body and keep your head out of the firework's path.
- Quickly move away after it is lit.
- Only use tubing provided with the fireworks AND on level ground.
- Avoid using home-made launching pads. These can fail causing it to tip over and launch in unintentional directions.
- Stay on concrete or pavement. Dry grass can burn easily.
The safest choice is to use glow sticks and crafts for young children, leaving the fireworks to the pros. The safest advice? Go see a show!
Fourth of July Holiday Celebrations-Sparkler Safety
With the current State of Emergency in Palm Beach County and the State of Florida, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Fire Marshal Chief David DeRita cautions citizens about the dangers of sparklers. Sparklers are NOT safe when used improperly and carelessly. They burn hot enough to melt metal up to 2000ºF and cause 3rddegree burns which are the worst type of skin burn.
In 2019, the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) reports there was an estimated 10,000 emergency department visits from fireworks related injuries. Three quarters of those injuries were caused by sparklers and occurred during the month surrounding the 4thof July.
Here are some safety tips:
- Young children SHOULD NOT use sparklers.
- Burn one sparkler at a time.
- Hold the sparkler by the non-burning end far away from the face, body, clothing, and anything that can burn.
- Keep a water hose on and ready to go or a bucket filled with water to cool sparklers before throwing them away.