Be safe: follow sensible fireworks safety tips

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MARK EMMONS

June 24, 2009

By LaDell Emmons The McAlester News-Capital Wed Jun 24, 2009, 10:58 AM CDT

Who doesn’t enjoy seeing the sky light up with multiple colors either for a festive occasion like the beginning of OK Mozart or an annual Fourth of July celebration. According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2005, an estimated 10,800 people were treated in U.S. emergency departments for fireworks-related injuries. Fireworks are exciting, fun and festive but also very dangerous causing serious burn and eye injuries. Educating the public concerning the safe use of fireworks is vital this time of year especially during the month prior to this national holiday.

The National Council of Fireworks Safety recommends that consumers only buy fireworks from a licensed store or stand. Never buy fireworks from an individual’s house, or out of someone’s car. Such fireworks are likely to be illegal explosives that can cause serious injuries. Consumer fireworks are regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and are packaged in bright colors and have safety warnings on the packaging. The packaging sets forth the country of origin, which is normally China. Typical consumer fireworks include fountains, cones, sparklers, fire crackers, bottle rockets, roman candles, ground spinners and multi-shot products. Illegal explosives are often unpackaged and are wrapped with plain brown paper. Most likely they do not have any safety warnings or place of manufacture. Consumer fireworks, if used in accordance with instructions, are very safe.

Always make sure fireworks are legal in the location that has been selected for display. Local governments have specific regulations regarding use of fireworks. The city of McAlester does not allow fireworks to be sold in city limits.

Furthermore, you are not allowed to light up fireworks within the city.

In order to promote safety during fireworks displays, the National Council and Consumer Product Safety Commission urges individuals to follow some common sense rules. Only use fireworks outdoors.

Never give fireworks to young children and always wear safety glasses. Read and follow all warnings and instructions.

Be sure other individuals are out of range before lighting fireworks. Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves, and flammable materials. Never try to relight fireworks that have not fully functioned. Always keep a bucket of water, or water hose nearby in case of a malfunction or fire. And most of all, remember alcohol and fireworks do not mix.

Prior planning and preparing for the evening’s fireworks display will help promote safety. Make sure that the designated shooter has a shooting area and that the individuals watching the display are in a spectator area far enough away from the launching site.

Preplanning makes for a safe and fun backyard fireworks display. For more information on firework safety visit the CDC or fireworks safety website at http://www.cdc.gov/Home and RecreationalSafety/Fireworks or http://www.fireworksafety.com.

For more information in Pittsburg County, call 423-4120 or log onto www.oces.okstate.edu/pittsburg. LaDell Emmons is the Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Educator for the Pittsburg County Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. Contact her by e-mail at ladell.emmons@okstate.edu.

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