Fireworks Safety

Fireworks are often used to mark special events and holidays. It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt. The only safe way to view fireworks is to attend a professional show. With many professional firework shows being canceled this year, it is important to know that fireworks are not safe in the hands of consumers. Fireworks cause thousands of injuries each year.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) each July 4th, thousands of people, most often children and teens, are injured while using consumer fireworks. Despite the dangers of fireworks, few people understand the associated risks, devastating burns, other injuries, fires, and even death.
People forget that fireworks are really small explosives or miniature bombs with a large destructive force. Children and younger teens accounted for more than one-third of the estimated injuries and are especially at risk for the potentially devastating burns and blast trauma. Even seemingly harmless sparklers which alone account for almost 2,200 injuries can reach temperatures up to 1200° as they burn. As an alternative to fireworks, the NFPA recommends glow sticks, which glow in the dark and are safer than sparklers.

It is estimated that 243 people on average go to the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July 4th holiday.

Listed below are just a few Fireworks Safety Tips:
• Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap
• Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly
• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully
• Never use illegal fireworks
• More Fireworks Safety Tips can be found at Fireworks Information Center

The men and women of the Broward Sheriff’s Office Department of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services wish you and your family a happy and healthy Independence Day!

For more information, please contact BSO Cooper City Fire Station #28 at 954-432-8905.