Every summer, Americans of all ages suffer injuries related to fireworks. However, while many of these injuries are quite serious, they’re also very easy to avoid. Firework-related injuries tend to come about as a result of bad judgment and improper safety precautions, and taking the time to think things through and approach fireworks with the right mindset can make all the difference. So, if a summer that’s completely free of firework-related mishaps is what you’re aiming for, take the following pointers to heart.
Purchasing Unsafe Fireworks
When searching for suitable fireworks, you’d do well to exercise discernment. Among other things, this entails looking for products from manufacturers that have an impeccable track record with regard to safety and overall quality. So, before purchasing fireworks for your next big event, take some time to research both the types of fireworks you wish to buy and their respective manufacturers.
You should also steer clear of fireworks that are intended for large-scale professional displays. Such fireworks contain a tremendous amount of firepower, are ill-suited to small-scale events and should never be operated by non-professionals. If you’re unclear on whether the fireworks you’ve purchased are professional-grade, have a look at the packaging, as these types of fireworks are often packaged in brown paper. Furthermore, in the interest of maximum safety, contact the manufacturer if you have any questions about how powerful a firework you’ve purchased is.
Trying to Re-light Fireworks
While dealing with duds can certainly be disappointing, this doesn’t give you free license to engage in reckless behavior. Case in point: attempting to re-light fireworks that are duds – or simply appear to be duds. So, if a firework fails to fully ignite – or to ignite at all – you should never attempt to re-light it, as this places you at high risk for serious burns and collision with a delayed-ignition firework.
To avoid such undesirable outcomes, thoroughly douse any duds – or potential duds – with water before approaching or disposing of them. Furthermore, make sure to maintain a safe distance from the fireworks while proceeding to douse them.
Standing Too Close to Lit Fireworks
Once a firework has been lit, you’ll need to put a fair amount of distance between yourself and it. The closer you are to a lit firework, the higher your risk of a direct collision or other serious injury. By extension, any friends, family members or guests who are present for the display should be required to view the fireworks from a safe distance. You should also don protective eyewear and avoid placing any part of your body directly over the fireworks you light, as this increases your odds of a direct collision exponentially.
Failing to Properly Extinguish Fireworks
As touched upon above, fireworks need to be fully extinguished before they’re disposed of. Even if a firework appears to be a complete dud or fully ignited, there’s no guarantee that it doesn’t have some firepower remaining. With this in mind, make a point of keeping a bucket of water, fire extinguisher or powerful hose within easy reach whenever you intend to shoot off fireworks. Furthermore, regardless of how fizzled out a firework appears to be, make sure to promptly douse it after it’s gone off. Throwing out fireworks that haven’t been properly extinguished can also lead to garbage fires, so no matter how cumbersome you think dousing used fireworks is, it is imperative that you power through.
Handling Fireworks Under the Influence
Being under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol can dull your reaction times and lead to impaired judgment – neither one of which will serve you well when it comes to fireworks. Even if you intend to limit your alcohol intake, you should avoid handling fireworks if you’ve had even one drink. Instead, outsource the handling of fireworks to someone who’s committed to staying fully sober throughout the entirety of the event or simply skip the fireworks altogether.
There’s no denying that fireworks are a summertime staple in the U.S. Although they’re commonly associated with 4th of July festivities, it’s hardly unusual for people to enjoy them outside of Independence Day celebrations. Unfortunately, we don’t always make the best judgment calls when handling and disposing of fireworks – which can result in a wide variety of undesirable outcomes. One bad call is all it takes for a serious injury – or worse – to come about, so if you’re serious about firework safety, it’s in your best interest to consider the advice outlined above.