1. Don't Set Off Fireworks
For a surefire way to prevent fireworks related injuries, avoid setting off fireworks on your own. Instead, attend a fireworks displayed created by a trained professional. If you've never used fireworks before, you put yourself at risk for serious injuries. Fireworks related injuries include damage to the eyes, hands and face. Most frequently, people with injuries from fireworks suffer from minor to major burns. People have also suffered lacerations from debris discharged from the fireworks when they are set off. Many states have banned fireworks due to the high number of injuries reported on holidays, like the Fourth of July.
2. Choose the Fireworks Wisely
Certain fireworks have a higher incidence of causing injuries than others. If you do choose to set off fireworks, take a minute to regard the safety of each type. Over one quarter of injuries stem from people setting off firecrackers. Firecrackers explode very quickly and can injure a person if not ignited at a safe enough distance. Firecrackers have led to frequent injuries to the hands and faces of both the persons setting them off and bystanders. Bottle rockets have also contribute to a high number of firecracker related injuries. These fireworks, placed in a bottle, zoom through the sky when ignited. If a bottle rocket malfunctions, it can zip through the crowd and hit a person in the face. Safer fireworks options include fountains, single shot tube fireworks and Roman Candles. These fireworks stay in one spot and reduce the risk of injury.
3. Keep Things Age Appropriate
Scarily enough, many fireworks injuries occur in children. To excite and awe children, households set off fireworks with children nearby or even let the kids help ignite them. Almost half of fireworks-related injuries come from children under the age of 14. Many parents allow children to hold sparklers, which burn at a thousand degrees F. Sparklers can burn the children's skin or ignite their clothing. House fires have also resulted from sparklers. Also, curious children often want a closer look at fireworks being set off and end up getting injured in the crossfire.
4. Dangers of Homemade Fireworks
Some people fancy themselves scientists, making their own firework creations at home. They use the powder from several fireworks and try to make a new type of firework. Handling the powder from fireworks can prove very dangerous and lead to an explosion. Homemade fireworks have led to deaths, crippling injuries, and devastating fires at home and in motor vehicles. If you do set off fireworks, avoid mixing or creating your own type.
