Per Safe Kids Worldwide, more than 3,000 children under the age of 15 are sent to the emergency room each year in the United States because of fireworks. Sparklers, which have a reputation for being relatively harmless, account for one-third of the injuries to children under five. The best way to keep your kids safe is to not use fireworks at home. Instead, attend public fireworks displays and leave the lighting to the professionals. If you plan to use fireworks, make sure they’re legal in your area. Follow these other tips to ensure a fun and safe 4th of July! Be Extra Careful with Sparklers • Sparklers can heat up to 1,200 degrees, and little arms are simply too short to handle that kind of heat. Instead, give your wee one glow sticks to play with! • Always closely supervise children around fireworks. Take Necessary Precautions • Do not wear loose clothing while using fireworks. • Never light fireworks indoors or near dry grass. • Point fireworks away from homes, 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, don’t investigate it- simply put it out with water and dispose of it. • Always have a bucket of water and/or fire extinguisher nearby. Know how to operate the fire extinguisher properly. • If a child is injured by fireworks, immediately go to a doctor or hospital. If an eye injury occurs, don’t allow your child to touch or rub it, as this may cause even more damage. For more information on firework safety, please call the Center for Childhood Safety at 920-272-0110 or visit www.ccsgb.org.
top of page
bottom of page