In 2007, an 8-year-old boy and his family and friends were enjoying a fireworks show at his grandfather’s rural estate when a firework cannon exploded killing the boy. A piece of metal hit the boy, even though he stood about 100 feet from the cannon. Responders found pieces of shrapnel as far as 234 feet from the blast site.
Unfortunately, firework accidents are not uncommon during this festive season. Tens of thousands of people are injured every year in firework accidents with thousands of them requiring a trip to the emergency room. According to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission, approximately 7,000 people received treatment for fireworks-related injuries in 1998. The National Safety Council states that children ages 10 to 14 are at the highest risk for fireworks-related injuries. Bottle Rockets rate highest for causing injuries, followed closely by sparklers.
Homemade fireworks are illegal and can cause serious injury, or even death. Many states also outlaw other explosives such as silver salutes, M-80s and cherry bombs. There are explicit differences between legal consumer fireworks and dangerous federally-banned explosive devices. For one, there is no quality control in the manufacturing process, which can dramatically affect how fireworks act when detonated. You can identify illegal fireworks because they do not have labels that identify the manufacturer or how to use the item. If you find that you have illegal fireworks, dispose of them properly. Do not detonate illegal fireworks ó you may be risking your life.
To help you safely celebrate this Fourth of July, the Installation Safety Office at Walter Reed Army Medical Center has developed a few safety tips:
Always read and follow label directions.
Have an adult present, and never give fireworks to young children. Even sparklers can be unsafe if used improperly.
Light one firework at a time. Never re-light “dud” fireworks. Instead, wait 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
Stay away from illegal explosives. Illegal explosive devices continue to maim and kill users around the Fourth of July holiday.
The Fourth of July is synonymous with freedom, barbecues and fireworks. Do not become a statistic or headline like a 27-year-old mother of three in Michigan. The tragedy took place at a picnic held by her employer. To celebrate, someone purchased $1,000 of illegal commercial-grade fireworks. When the mother of three checked to see why the last firework failed to detonate, there was an explosion. She died while 30 others, including her fiancÈ and children, watched in horror. Protect yourself and your family during the Fourth of July holiday. Handle fireworks with care, or better yet, only attend public fireworks displays.
In addition to practicing firework safety, officials recommend people travel safely during the holiday and always. This means no drinking and driving nor while tired, use of seat belts, and obeying speed limits and all roadway signs.
Also during the summer, people should learn how to recognize the symptoms of heat injuries, drink adequate amounts of water and don’t over-exert themselves in hot weather.
If grilling, keep the grill a safe distance away from the house and flammable material. Have a fire extinguisher or water hose ready in case of a fire. Keep children and pets away from the grill. Never leave the fire unattended, and store food properly to avoid food poisoning.
When boating, don’t drink alcohol while out on the water and always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation vest.
Remember no running at the pool. It’s also not a good idea to have glass containers at the pool. Do not dive in shallow areas nor swim alone, and wear sunscreen.
For more information concerning safe summer activities and tips, go the the U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center Web site at https://safety.army.mil.
Editor’s note: Information provided by the Installation Safety Office and USACRSC.
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