The Fourth of July is a time for festivities across the country, and in East King County fireworks are a favorite way to celebrate each year. Whether at a professional show or in the backyard, fireworks can be fun to watch — but they can also be very dangerous.
According to a new report from the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, 60 percent of all fireworks injuries occur during the 30 days surrounding the Fourth of July holiday.
In fact, more than 5,000 people nationwide were treated in hospital emergency rooms due to fireworks-related injuries between June 22, 2012, and July 22, 2012. More than half of these reported injuries involved burns to the hands, head and face.
Even more troubling is that about 1,000 of these injuries involved sparklers and bottle rockets, fireworks that are frequently—and incorrectly—considered safe for young children.
“Don’t ever let kids play with fireworks, period,” says Kristen Thorstenson, coordinator for Safe Kids Eastside, a local coalition that works to prevent unintentional injuries among kids. “They’re intended for use by adults in open spaces, and children should watch from a safe distance and with plenty of adult supervision to make sure they don’t get too close.”
As with any activity involving hazardous items, adults should keep all children under supervision at all times and give them undivided attention. “The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to watch them at a community event run by professionals,” says Thorstenson.
Safe Kids Eastside recommends these additional precautions for those near fireworks this Fourth of July:
Leave fireworks to the professionals
• The best way to protect your family is to not use any fireworks at home. Instead, attend public fireworks displays and leave the lighting to the professionals.
• If you plan to use fireworks, make sure they are legal in your area. Regulations can vary widely even between neighboring towns.
Be extra careful with sparklers
• Little arms are too short to hold sparklers, which can heat up to 1,200 degrees. Let young children use glow sticks instead, which can be just as fun.
• Closely supervise children around fireworks at all times.
Take necessary precautions
• Do not wear loose clothing while using fireworks.
• Never light fireworks indoors or near dry grass.
• Point fireworks away from homes, and keep away from brush, leaves and flammable substances.
Be prepared for an accident or injury
• Stand several feet away from lit fireworks. If a device does not go off, do not stand over it to investigate. Instead, ensure the firework is out by dousing it with water, and then dispose of it.
Fireworks, including sparklers and flares, can cause serious burns as well as blast injuries that can permanently impair vision and hearing. “In case of an emergency, teach your children how to call 911,” adds Dr. Bradley Younggren, medical director for Safe Kids Eastside and director of emergency services for EvergreenHealth. “Also teach them what to do if their clothing catches on fire: ‘stop, drop and roll.’”
About Safe Kids Eastside
Safe Kids Eastside works to prevent unintentional childhood injury, the No. 1 cause of death for children in the United States. Its members include the Brain Injury Association of Washington State, Olympic Physical Therapy, Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Investigations, King County Fire District 45, King County Emergency Medical Services, Kirkland Police Department, Car Safe Kids and Northshore School District. Safe Kids Eastside is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations dedicated to preventing unintentional injury. Safe Kids Eastside was founded in late 2012 and is led by EvergreenHealth. For more information, visit www.safekids.org.
