Millions of Americans are preparing for Fourth of July festivities. Yet, ahead of your gathering, it’s important to keep you and your family safe.
FIREWORK DANGERS
More fires are reported on the Fourth of July than any other day. According to the National Fire Protection Association, fireworks create more than half of those blazes.
Fireworks cause an estimate 18,500 fires annually with about $43 million in property damage in the United States.
Nearly 12,000 people are injured by fireworks each year. In 2017, Via Christi Regional Burn Center treated 25 patients with fireworks-related burns and traumatic injuries. It was a high year for injuries, with half of the patients being children, said Sarah Fischer, BSN, RN, Burn Program coordinator.
PREVENTING INJURIES
She offered these fireworks safety tips for families for the holiday:
- Do not let kids play with sparklers; they may seem to be fit for children, but these fireworks are among the hottest you can ignite. Research shows they can heat up to 2,000 degrees and can stay hot for a long time after.
- Read labels on the fireworks and only let an adult light them.
- Never light fireworks near your face or stand over a firework.
- Light one firework at a time.
- Do not relight fireworks or hold them if they do not ignite; sometimes they will explode after.
- Only light fireworks on a solid surface. Do not put them in a glass or metal container. The Wichita Fire Department says you should light them on a flat surface to prevent tipping.
- Parents should be with young kids at all times, including those in a stroller or a car seat. Fischer said they see injuries where a firework shoots at or lands on kids in those seats, causing injury.
- Have a bucket of water on hand to put out used fireworks or duds.
- Keep people clear of fireworks after they’ve been set off on the ground. Foot injuries are pretty common this time of year, as people may run around the area where fireworks are lit. It’s a good idea to wear shoes while out celebrating and properly disposing of fireworks when you can safely do so.
You should also purchase fireworks in the community where you plan to set them off. That way, you know they comply with local laws. This summer, the City of Wichita will be stepping up enforcement efforts to make sure that everyone is safe.