Happy Fourth of July!
There’s no question, we all look forward to Fourth of July weekend! Fun, family, friends, fireworks, BBQ and usually near water. What’s not to look forward to? On the other hand, celebrating safely needs to stay in the back of our minds.
Firework Safety
Below are some tips on how to use and handle fireworks appropriately.
- Never allow young children to handle fireworks
- Do not handle while impaired by alcohol or drugs
- Never light them indoors
- Anyone using fireworks should use protective eyewear
- Do not light fireworks close to homes or buildings
- Do not re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks
- Keep a hose or bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in the event of a fire
- Don’t try to ignite fireworks in a container
- Light one at a time
Sparklers Aren’t for Everyone
Sparklers, or mini fireworks, are found being used by young kids at parades, firework shows, at home or at festivals. They’re a lot more dangerous than most think.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, sparklers alone account for more than 25% of emergency visits for firework injuries. And on top of that, sparklers accounted for nearly half of the total estimated injuries for children under 5 years old. They can quickly ignite clothing or hair, and children have had severe burns from dropping sparklers on their feet. They can burn at about 2,000 degrees.
Some fun alternatives are confetti poppers, colorful streamers and glow sticks!
How to Celebrate Safely
The best idea: go to a nearby town or city that hosts a firework show, and let the professionals handle it! Sit back and enjoy. Here is a list of public fireworks in the following states:
New Hampshire: Fireworks across New Hampshire
Maine: Fireworks across Maine
Massachusetts: Fireworks across Massachusetts