As we all prepare to celebrate the 4th of July, Pershing Health System would like to share some safety tips from the National Safety Council to help ensure you have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July weekend!
- Never allow young children to handle fireworks
- Older children should use them only under close adult supervision
- Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol
- Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear
- Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands
- Never light them indoors
- Only use them away from people, houses, and flammable material
- Never point or throw fireworks at another person
- Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting
- Never ignite devices in a container
- Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks
- Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding
- Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire
- Never use illegal fireworks
- Sparklers alone account for more than 25% of emergency room visits for fireworks injuries, and for children under 5 years of age, sparklers accounted for nearly half of the total estimated injuries. Consider using safer alternatives, such as glow sticks, confetti poppers, or colored streamers.
For more information on firework safety, please visit https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/seasonal-safety/summer-safety/fireworks.
