With the Fourth of July approaching this weekend, your local Red Cross wants to help keep our community a safer place to live and work by offering these firework safety tips!
While fireworks can provide fun and entertainment, they can also be dangerous. More fires are reported in the U.S. on the Fourth of July than any other day all year. Over 9,000 people a year are treated by emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries, with a 1/3 of those people being under the age of 15. Even something as simple as a sparkler can cause burns or fires.
Here are some useful tips from your local Red Cross to help keep safe this Fourth of July and all summer long!
-If possible, avoid using consumer fireworks and instead, enjoy public firework displays.
-If you plan on using your own, only use legal fireworks bought from a reliable seller. Make sure to read the warning labels and check local and state guidelines for use.
-Do not let children use or light fireworks.
-Light fireworks on a solid surface and away from people.
-Light only one at a time and do not try re-lighting a firework if it fails to work the first time. If a firework is a “dud,” wait 15 to 20 minutes and soak it in a bucket of water before disposing of it.
-Only light fireworks outside and away from people, animals, dry grass and buildings.
-Always keep water handy, in a bucket or garden hose.
Thank you and have a safe and happy summer!
Filed under: Preparedness and Safety, Safety Tips | Tagged: American Red Cross, fire safety, firecrackers, fireworks, fourth of july, grand rapids, michigan, safety, sparklers, tips
