“Don’t burn down the house honey!” – 4th of July Fire and Safety Tips
Special thanks to our technichian, Steve Weiss for the information in this blog!
If on the fourth of July you have a significant other who:
- Insists that his fireworks display is the best in town
- Causes you to double check and restock your medical kit
- Buys fireworks from “a friend” because they are bigger and better than “the other ones”
- Causes you to get the direct phone number to the local fire department and save it into every phone in the house
- Comes home grunting like Tim Allen and bragging about his secret Atomic Glow, Gimmy Shimmy, Nukes of Hazard fireworks
…This blog may be for you.
It’s that time of year for the sparks to fly! While there are many professional fireworks displays, some “do-it-yourselfers” feel the need to amaze the family. If this has been you in the past, here are some things you may want to think about.
Dangerous Days
Unfortunately, thousands of 4th of July celebrations end in hospital visits. A special study conducted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission found that 65% of all fireworks injuries were sustained during the 30 days surrounding Independence Day. May of these injuries were to children and teens. Fireworks injuries were highest in children ages 5 – 19 years old an adults ages 25 – 44.
Consumer Grade doesn’t automatically spell safety
It seems like fourth of July celebrations on TV, always show the pretty little girls skipping through the park with the bright sparklers. But did you know that sparklers burn at 1200 degrees? Three burning sparklers together equal the heat of a blow torch. And while many agencies work to ensure public safety by issuing strict guidelines for producing fireworks, a “consumer grade” label does not automatically guarantee an injury free celebration. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 90% of all emergency visits were due to consumer grade fireworks.
Complacency equals automatic disaster
My husband was a combat engineer in the army for 16 years. His job included clearing roadside explosive devices, destruction of enemy ammunition…basically he blew things up for a living. The people he worked with, were trained explosive experts. Listening to him speak, their biggest threat was when someone “got careless”. Fireworks are no exception. Being distracted (or ignorant) while igniting an explosive device, which is the definition of a firework, will cause damage and more importantly injuries. More than half of all reported fireworks injuries in 2011 were the result of misuse or unexpected ignition of consumer grade products. Of these injuries 49% were sustained to the hands and fingers and 17% were to the face and eyes. When setting off fireworks, there is no such thing as being “too careful”.
Fireworks Tips and Safety
The best advice from the NFPA is to leave the firework’s displays to the professionals. However, if you decide to stay at home with your own fireworks display, here are a few tips to keep you are your family safe:
- Keep a bucket of water or a garden house available to use immediately
- Never use home-made or commercial grade fireworks
- NEVER allow children to play with or ignite fireworks
- Never carry fireworks in your pocket
- Do not shoot fireworks off in a glass or metal container
- Light fireworks and move away quickly
- Do not place your body or body parts over fireworks when lighting
- Never pickup or try to ignite unspent fireworks after a fireworks display
- Pour water on all spent devices after a display
- Never point or throw fireworks at another person
So, celebrate smart this year! And Happy Fourth of July from team Sonitrol!
