Nearly 13,000 individuals were injured by fireworks across the country last year. As families and friends will soon be gathering to celebrate the Fourth of July during barbecues, cookouts and other festivities, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is reminding residents to take simple safety steps when using fireworks.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were an estimated 12,900 fireworks-related, emergency department-treated injuries and eight fireworks-related deaths in 2017. About 67 percent of these incidents occurred between June 16 and July 16. During this one-month period, sparklers were the number one cause of injuries, accounting for 14 percent of the estimated injuries.
"The Fourth of July and fireworks go hand in hand," said Nick Lyon, MDHHS director. "However, they can be dangerous. We want to make sure residents are celebrating our nation's independence safely and using caution when handling fireworks."
MDHHS is urging everyone to follow the following safety steps:
- Make sure fireworks are legal in your area, before buying or using them.
- Never use or make professional-grade fireworks.
- Wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks
- Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks, including sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This is hot enough to melt some metals.
- Never point or throw fireworks at another person or occupied area.
- Light fireworks one at a time, then move away from them quickly.
- Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishaps.
- Never relight a "dud" firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
- After fireworks complete their burning, douse with water from a bucket or hose before discarding the device to prevent a trash fire.
For additional information, visit the CPSC's fireworks safety education center, www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Fireworks.
For those seeking a quieter Fourth of July camping experience, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency are offering Fireworks-Free Fourth of July at several Michigan state parks. Veterans, pet owners and other visitors will have the opportunity to camp farther away from traditional community firework displays July 2-6. Visit the DNR's website to learn more about participating parks, www.michigan.gov/dnr.
Published: Mon, Jul 02, 2018
