Fourth of July Fireworks Safety Tips

Fourth of July Fireworks Safety Tips

In case you didn't get the memo, today is Independence Day, which means millions of Americans throughout the country will be celebrating our nation's independence. In addition to enjoying grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, however, many people will also be launching fireworks into the night sky. Along with New Year's Eve, Independence Day is a popular time of year for shooting off fireworks. But if you're planning to a host a fireworks show this evening, there are a few safety tips should follow to protect against bodily injury and property damage.

Beware of Sparklers!

Some people mistakenly believe that sparklers are safe, so they allow children to burn them unsupervised. Sparklers, however, are one of the most common causes of fireworks-related injury. Once lit, a sparkler can reach 2,000 degrees Fahreneheit, which is more than hot enough to cause serious burns.

Don't Relight Fireworks

If a firework doesn't launch or otherwise ignite, don't attempt to relight it. Instead, douse the "dud" with water and wait for it to cool off before disposing of it. Relighting a firework -- even if it's an apparent "dud" -- only increases the risk of an explosion.

Light One at a Time

A good rule of thumb is to only light a single firework at a time. You can launch hundreds of fireworks off into the night sky, but you should never launch multiple fireworks simultaneously. Wait until the first firework has launched, and then light the second one.

Keep Water Nearby

Arguably, the most important firework safety tip is to keep water nearby. Whether it's a garden hose, bucket, jug, etc., you need water on hand to douse fireworks. Without water, spent fireworks may carry enough heat to cause serious burns when touched -- long after they've been launched into the skies.

Don't Shoot From Bottles

It's not uncommon for people to launch fireworks from glass bottles or containers. In most of these cases, nothing will happen. However, there's always a chance of it shattering or exploding the bottle. Therefore, it's best to err on the side of caution by not shooting fireworks from bottles.

Read and Follow the Directions

Different fireworks have different instructions regarding how to use them. Even if you "think" you know how to launch a particularly firework, the manufacturer may have other recommendations. So, before launching a firework this evening, read the instructions for specific step-by-step instructions. You should only launch fireworks in the way they are intended to be used by the manufacturer.

Jul 4th 2017

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