Keep All Of Your Fingers: Use Common Sense When Handling Fireworks
LANSING (WWJ) - What would the 4th of July be without fireworks? A little less busy in hospital emergency rooms, that's for sure.
That being said, Michigan residents are being urged to celebrate the country's birthday by using common sense when it comes to the potential dangers of fireworks.
"There's no such thing as completely safe fireworks," Dr. Andrew Sama, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians, said in a statement. "A few minutes of well-intentioned fun can result in lifelong disabilities."
On average, about 200 people every day go to the ER with fireworks-related injuries around the 4th of July holiday, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Most of injuries involve burns. For example, a sparkler can burn at 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit -- which is as hot as a blow torch.
According to the CPSC, almost half (46 percent) of fireworks injuries are to a person's hands or fingers, while one-third (34 percent) of them are to a person's eyes, head, face and ears.
If you plan to use fireworks, follow these do's and don'ts to help make it a safer experience:
DO -- Have knowledgeable supervision by an experienced adult if you choose to use fireworks.
DO -- Buy fireworks from reputable dealers
DO -- Read warning labels and follow all instructions
DO -- Keep a bucket of water or fire extinguisher on hand
DO -- Light fireworks one at a time
DO -- Dispose of all fireworks properly
DON'T -- Give any fireworks, including sparklers, to small children; older children should be supervised by a responsible adult
DON'T -- Light fireworks indoors or near other objects
DON'T -- Place your body over a fireworks device when trying to light the fuse and immediately back up to a safe distance after you light it.
DON'T -- Point or throw fireworks at another person, ever
DON'T -- Try to re-light or pick up fireworks have not ignited fully
DON'T -- Wear loose clothing while using any fireworks
DON'T -- Set off fireworks in glass or metal containers. The fragments can cause severe injury.
DON'T -- Carry fireworks in a pocket.
DON'T -- Try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks
