CPSC Offers Statistics, Tips on Having a Safe Independence Day
While the Fourth of July may be a time of celebration for many people throughout the country, it is a cause for concern for others, as lighting off fireworks could be potentially fatal under the right circumstances.
According to a new report released by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, last year there were 9,600 injuries and four fatalities across the country that resulted from fireworks. The study conducted also showed that 65% of these firework-related injuries were experienced within the 30 days surrounding the Fourth of July.
These kinds of statistics clearly show that there’s a need to follow safe lighting practices when setting off these explosive devices. Thankfully, the CPSC, in addition to reporting this rather startling news, also offers a variety of safety tips that should be followed.
First and foremost, the fireworks your family lights off should be legal in your area, and they certainly shouldn’t be homemade. The four fatalities from last year were all the result of homemade or professional fireworks. Professional fireworks can usually be distinguished by their brown paper packaging, so think about foregoing any fireworks in this type of wrapping.
It’s also important to not let really young children light fireworks. Even older children should be supervised by an adult. And finally, always keep a bucket handy should something go awry. Once a firework has been shot off, douse it with water. If a unit looks to be a dud, take no chances: douse that firework with water as well, and do not try to relight it.