It’s all about a good time as we celebrate Independence Day and the incredible freedoms we enjoy as residents and citizens of the United States. All over the country, people gather for fun family music and spectacular fireworks displays. The festivities continue at home where families grill out, lounge at the pool and have a little at-home fireworks fun.

This year more than ever, we expect families to choose backyard gatherings over large-scale fireworks events. As we deal with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, many are understandably still uneasy about huge crowds, so families may opt to do all of their fireworks festivities right at home.

While backyard fireworks may seem like all fun and games, hazards abound. Fireworks cause thousands of burns and injuries each year. According to a 2019 report by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, fireworks were involved with an estimated 10,000 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.

We don’t want to spoil the fun. There are glow sticks and other safer alternatives available. Here are a few simple tips to help keep you and your family safe:

Fireworks Safety Tips

DO…

#1 – Always supervise children around fireworks.

#2 – Keep pets indoors.

#3 – Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114.

#4 – Avoid setting off fireworks late at night, especially after 11pm.

#5 – Store fireworks in a closed box.

#6 – Follow the instructions for each firework.

#7 – Dispose of spent fireworks by wetting them down and place them in a metal trash can away from buildings or combustible materials until the next day.

DON’T EVER…

#8 – Give sparklers to children under the age of five. Sparklers can reach a temperature of 1200 degrees! If not used safely, they can and do lead to severe burns.

#9 – Drink alcohol before or while setting off fireworks.

#10 – Approach or go near a firework that has already been lit.

#11 – Transport fireworks illegally (ex: public transportation).

#12 – Use consumer fireworks.

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