Safety Tips for Independence Day

7/1/2014 (Permalink)

Image Credit to: http://www.4thofjulyimages.com/4th-of-july-family-party-2014-usa-independence-day.html

The most important thing on Independence Day is to stay safe! SERVPRO has a TON of tips for staying safe so check them out and have a wonderful 4th of July! 

• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
• Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don't realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals.
• Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• 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 carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
• After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.
• Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
• Fireworks should only be used outdoors.
• Know your fireworks.  Read the caution label before igniting.
• Alcohol and fireworks do not mix.
• Wear safety glasses whenever using fireworks.Avoid using homemade fireworks or illegal explosives: They can kill you!
• Report illegal explosives, like M-80s and quarter sticks, to the fire or police department
• Always remain standing while using sparklers.
• Never hold a child in your arms while using sparklers.
• Never hold, or light, more than one sparkler at a time.
• Never throw sparklers.
• Sparkler wire and stick remain hot long after the flame has gone out.  Be sure to drop spent sparklers in a bucket of water.
• Teach children not to wave sparklers, or run, while holding sparklers.
• Steer clear of others — fireworks have been known to backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction. Never throw or point fireworks at someone, even in jest.
• Point fireworks away from homes, and keep away from brush and leaves and flammable substances. The National Fire Protection Association estimates that local fire departments respond to more 50,000 fires caused by fireworks each year.
• Think about your pet. Animals have sensitive ears and can be extremely frightened or stressed on the Fourth of July. Keep pets indoors to reduce the risk that they'll run loose or get injured.
• Do not wear loose clothing while using fireworks.
• Stand several feet away from lit fireworks. If a device does not go off, do not stand over it to investigate it. Put it out with water and dispose of it.
• If a child is injured by fireworks, immediately go to a doctor or hospital. If an eye injury occurs, don't allow your child to touch or rub it, as this may cause even more damage.
• Never smoke or drink alcoholic beverages while handling fireworks.
• Sparklers burn at extremely hot temperatures from 1200 to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. Glow sticks make an excellent, safer alternative to sparklers, especially for young children.
• Keep fireworks away from watermelons, dolls and mannequins. The dangers of allowing fireworks near these objects are clearly demonstrated every year on television around the 4th of July.
• Do not use fireworks on grass or any soft, uneven ground. Only use fireworks on hard, flat, level surfaces. This is very important, to prevent the fireworks from tipping over.
• Ground spinners such as "Ground Gloom Flower," etc. need a large, flat, smooth, hard, level surface to work. The same goes for traveling novelty items such as "Tanks," etc. Bring a large board if no hard, flat surface is at the shooting site.
• Flying Spinners and helicopters such as "Plane Flying at Night," etc., need a flat, smooth, hard, level surface to spin on before they lift off. Make sure the printed side is up and the fuse is underneath a wing. Do not stand them on end.
• Skyrockets must be launched from a narrow tube or a rack designed for them, not from your hand or by sticking them into the ground.
• Roman Candles must be set in a stable rack or other support. Do not hold roman candles in your hand!
• Light the firework with a long-handled lighter such as for barbecues, or a jumbo punk or a road flare.
• Step back after lighting the fuse, to at least 10 feet away from the firework you just lit.
• Never, ever, look into a tube that has a shell loaded into it, and never place any part of your body over a tube.
• Always clean up the area after the show. 

Credit: http://fireworksland.com/free-fun-stuff/articles/fireworks-safety-tips , http://www.in.gov/dhs/3375.htm , http://www.safekids.org/tip/fireworks-safety-tips , http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/outdoor/fireworks.html , http://fireworkssafety.org/?p=41 , http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Fireworks/