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8 tips to keep safe this 4th of July
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AP Photo / Sergery Ponomarev
With warm weather and family events, the 4th of July is often filled with great memories. And for many, July 4th is not complete without fireworks. Before you celebrate this year, there are a few safety tips you should keep in mind.
The top recommendation from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is to let the professionals handle the firework displays. This recommendation is your safest bet, and it allows you to relax and enjoy the festivities from a safe distance.
If you participate in lighting fireworks, what can go wrong might surprise you. There are obvious problems that can occur due to carelessness, but faulty fireworks, premature or delayed explosions, unexpected flight paths or gusts of winds can cause injuries to you and/or the other spectators. If you decide to engage in the 4th of July firework festivities, the following safety tips can help ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable time.
•Always supervise children. Never allow young children to handle fireworks or sparklers. According to the CDC, in 2007 over half of all people injured by fireworks were under the age of 20 and 4 of every 10 people injured were children under the age of 15. Sparklers have been identified as the most common cause of firework-related injuries among children under 5. Sparklers can burn as hot as 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot enough to melt gold. Do not allow children to pick up pieces of fireworks after an event. Some may still be ignited and can explode at anytime.
•Keep it legal. According to the Billings municipal code, it is illegal to possess, store, use or explode any fireworks within the city limits. In Yellowstone County, the use of fireworks is legal unless the county commissioners implement a burning ban. Information on burning bans can be found by contacting the Yellowstone County office of emergency and general services at 406-256-2775.
•Stay alert. Never use alcohol while around fireworks.
•Know how to operate fireworks. A fuse is not a simple wick; it contains powder and is only designed to burn from 3 to 9 seconds. Keep fireworks on a flat, level surface and never ignite them in a container that can explode and send debris flying. Keep all unused fireworks away from the firing area. Make sure everyone else is out of range before lighting, and don't hold fireworks in your hand or have any part of your body over them while lighting.
•Plan ahead. Keep a bucket of water and/or hose nearby in case of an accident. Soak all fireworks in the bucket of water before throwing them away. Try to anticipate what will happen if the winds change suddenly. The National Fire Protection Association estimates that local fire departments respond to more that 50,000 fires caused by fireworks each year.
•First aid. Consider wearing ear plugs and eye guards as a prevention measure. If you or one of the spectators does get injured from a firework, seek immediate medical help. For eye injuries, don't rub or apply pressure to the eye itself.
•Think about your pet. Animals have sensitive ears and can be extremely frightened or stressed on the 4th of July. Keep your pet indoors to reduce the risk that your pet will run loose, get injured or injure you or someone else.
These safety tips and precautions can help you and your loved ones enjoy a tradition that has been steadfast in our country since 1777. But remember, the safest way to enjoy this holiday is to leave it to the professionals.
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