Fireworks Safety

The Fourth of July is tomorrow and for many teenagers that means a night of setting off fireworks. I remember one year when I was a teenager, a group of my friends and I set off a bunch of fireworks near my apartment. In our state fireworks are illegal so as soon as we saw the apartment security heading our way we took off running. Of course we knew setting off fireworks was illegal, but when you’re a teenager it’s all about testing limits.

Fireworks are pretty appealing to teenagers. Maybe it’s the possibility of danger that appeals to them. Unfortunately teenagers are sometimes reckless with them. It’s best to leave the fireworks show to the professionals and encourage your teens to watch the city display instead of setting them off themselves. However, convincing teens of that may not always work so if they decide to have their own show make sure they are safe.

• Never use fireworks indoor.
• Do not light fireworks right next to your apartment complex either. A little distance between your personal property, friends, trees, etc. is best.
• Obey your local laws. For example, they are illegal in the state of Iowa (and several other states) so don’t set off fireworks if your state doesn’t allow it. Stick with sparklers instead. Your state may have laws about where fireworks can be set off as well. Make sure you know the laws and follow them.
• Keep a bucket of water and/or a water hose nearby. And use it.
• Don’t wear loose fitting clothing that could get in the way of the fire when lighting.
• Keep long hair back in a ponytail.
• Wear goggles.
• Use common sense when lighting fireworks. Don’t stand right in front of the person lighting the fireworks. Don’t put lit fireworks (or non-lit fireworks for that matter) in your mouth or in your butt. Trust me. It’s been done before and it’s never good. We don’t need to see another stupid video on YouTube. Instead just be safe.
• Nominate a “designated shooter.” This person should be sober.
• Do not use homemade fireworks. Spend the money to buy ones made by professionals.
• Always follow the directions on the packaging.
• Only light one firework at a time.
• Don’t relight duds.

If your take all precautions hopefully everybody involved will be safe, but accidents may happen. Fireworks can cause eye injuries or burns. If you get an eye injury immediately go to the hospital. Do NOT rub your eye. Do NOT try to flush it out. You could cause more damage then good. If you get a minor burned remove any burned clothing and apply cool (not cold) water to the burn. Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment and cover with a bandage. If it’s a serious burn go to the emergency room.

Fireworks can be a beautiful and fun event. Just make sure you stay safe. Trips to the ER can turn a fun night in to a nightmare pretty quickly.

Happy 4th of July!