With many large public fireworks canceled this year, due to COVID-19, fireworks sales for personal use are booming. Entertaining friends and family with a firework show in the backyard may seem like a fun and festive way to celebrate. However, thousands of people, most of them being persons under the age of 18, are injured each year while using fireworks (Healthy Children,2020).
On average in the month of July, 180 people daily go to the emergency room with firework related injuries (Healthy Children, 2020). Children under the age of 15 accounted for more than a third of the injuries induced by fireworks. Injuries ranged from burns and wounds to the hands, fingers, arms, head, face and eyes. The most severe and even fatal in some cases happened when lit fireworks did not work correctly and were being held by the victim when it exploded.
What can we do, to keep ourselves and our family safe during the month of July?
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The best way to stay safe is to let the professionals handle the fireworks and attend a public display if available in your area. If your celebrations are cancelled and you are going to be the one putting on the fireworks display, follow these general guidelines (Advent Health, 2020):
| • | Light fireworks one at a time and move back quickly |
| • | Keep a bucket of water or garden hose ready |
| • | Always have an adult supervise |
| • | Never relight or pick up any firework that did not light properly |
| • | Never point or throw fireworks at other people |
| • | Never carry fireworks in your pocket |
| • | Never allow young children to play with fireworks |
| • | Encourage small children to wave flags instead of sparklers |
| • | When a firework is finished burning, prevent a garbage fire by dousing used firework with lots of water from bucket or hose before throwing away |
| • | Ensure that spectators remain a safe distance from the fireworks being lit |
| • | Always follow the instructions on the packaging |
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Each July 4th, thousands of people, most often children and teens, are injured while using fireworks. Despite the dangers of fireworks, few people understand the associated risks: devastating burns, other injuries, fires, and even death (National Fire Protection Association, 2020). Make sure to keep you and your loved ones safe this Independence Day and follow the firework safety guidelines.
The Jackson College Health Clinic office is closed until further notice. If you need to make an appointment or speak to the health clinic staff for any reason at all, please call 517.990.1374 and leave a message and they will return your call within 24-48 hours.
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