Fireworks Safety Tips for Fourth of July Weekend

Looking to keep your limbs, appendages and pride over the holiday weekend? We’ve got some tips and statistics to keep you from becoming a cautionary tale. but be safe – Branford Patch doesn’t want to be covering your story as breaking news this weekend!

Have Fun But Proceed with Caution

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has provided this safety check list for using fireworks; we've added the laymen's terms for you in bold.

• Observe local laws. [Branford Police will arrest anyone in possession of illegal fireworks – those that explode or are commercial.] Don't get arrested. They don't give you hot dogs and hamburgers in jail.
  
  
• Keep a bucket of water handy in case of a malfunction or fire. Well that makes sense; no explanation needed.
  
  
• Read and follow all warnings and instructions. Think of fireworks as IKEA furniture; read the directions before you start and save yourself from the problems later.
  
  
• Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks. Sparklers, considered by many the ideal "safe" firework for the young, burn at very high temperatures and can easily ignite clothing. Children cannot understand the danger involved and cannot act appropriately in case of emergency. It's just like mamma said: "Don't play with matches."
  
  
• Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks. Never shoot a firework at or near another person. Unless you want to get arrested.
  
  
• Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves, and flammable materials. Do not light fireworks off of your friend's back.
  
  
• Never try to relight fireworks that have not fully functioned. Douse and soak them with water and throw them away. Suck up the $3-loss – trust us, a new hand costs way more!
  
  
• Never ignite fireworks in a container, especially a glass or metal container. One moment of big boom, lifetime of lipreading.
  
  
• Keep unused fireworks away from firing areas. What a waste of perfectly good fountains.
  
  
• Never have any portion of your body directly over a firework while lighting. If it feels like burning it probably is.
  
  
• Don't experiment with homemade fireworks. Leave that up to the neighbor - JK!

Learn From These Mistakes

The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports on firework-related injuries every year. Here’s their most recent findings without commentary, because death is serious!

• In 2009, fireworks caused an estimated 18,000 reported fires, including 1,300 structure fires, 400 vehicle fires, and 16,300 outside and other fires. These fires resulted in no reported deaths, and an estimated 30 civilian injuries and $38 million in direct property damage.
  
  
• In 2009, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 8,800 people for fireworks related injuries. Of those 8,800 people, 32 percent had injuries to the hand or finger, 9 percent sustained injuries to the arm, wrist or shoulder, 5 percent had trunk injuries, 27 percent had eye injuries and 15 percent sustained injuries to the head or face.
  
  
• Fifty-one percent of the 2009 fireworks injuries were burns, while 25 percent were contusions and lacerations.
  
  
• Two of five (39 percent) of people injured by fireworks were under the age of 15.
  
  
• There were seven fireworks-related deaths during 2008. Two people were killed in incidents involving aerial and display fireworks. One person died in a fire where a firework was the ignition source. Three people were killed in incidents involving homemade fireworks. One person, on oxygen, suffered serious burns when a firecracker exploded near his face. He died 18 days later in the hospital.
  
  
• Devices such as sparklers, fountains, roman candles, and novelties accounted for 40 percent of injuries; firecrackers caused 18 percent of injuries.