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Fireworks Safety Tips

Summer fireworks can be incredibly dangerous. While everyone loves the 4^th of July displays, fireworks are safest in the hands of professionals. In 2005, 10,800 were treated in emergency departments for firework related injuries. It is estimated that this number makes up about 5% of all fireworks-related injuries. Another 190,000 people are estimated to have been injured by fireworks, but not to the extent that required emergency care. During that year, four people were killed by fireworks.

According to the Center for Disease Control, the most common injuries were burns to the fingers and hands. However, burns to the eye comprised about 25% of all injuries and burns to the head and face comprise another 20%.

What Fireworks Cause Injuries?

In adults, firecrackers cause the most injuries – accounting for 26% of all injuries seen in emergency departments. Rockets and sparklers each comprise about 17% of the injuries.

Even young children, who are often closely supervised by adults, can be injured by fireworks. More than half of the injuries occurring to children under the age of five came from sparklers. We tend to think of sparkers as the “safe” version of fireworks. But what many parents don’t realize is that sparklers burn at a temperature of about 2,000 degrees, the same temperature as a soldering gun.

Florida Fireworks Law

Florida law specifically prohibits fireworks, torpedoes, skyrockets, roman candles, daygo bombs, and any other fireworks containing explosive or flammable compounds from being sold to general consumers. Also prohibited are any fireworks capable of being shot into the air.

Federal fireworks law prohibits “Cherry Bombs,” “Silver Salutes,” and “M-80s.” This ban has been in place since 1966, due to the large amount of explosive compound contained in the fireworks.

Fireworks Safety Tips

KidsHealth offers the following summer safety tips for fireworks:

· Keep children away from fireworks. If you choose to let your child play with sparklers, keep them away from the child’s face and clothes.

· Purchase only legal fireworks

· Never try to make your own fireworks

· Always use fireworks outside and have a bucket of water nearby

· Stay away from others in case the firework backfires or shoots in the wrong direction

· Don’t hold a lit firework in your hands

· Point fireworks away from homes, trees, brush, and leaves.

· Never relight a firework

· Soak all fireworks in your water bucket before throwing away

Lilly, O'Toole & Brown, LLP
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Wauchula, Lake Placid, Avon Park, Plant City, Brandon, and Valrico, Florida.

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