4th of July Safety Tips

Firework safety:

There are nearly 9,000 emergency room injuries associated with fireworks each year, and approximately 40 percent of those injuries involve children under the age of 15.  This is according to an annual study done by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Here are some guidelines to ensure firework safety on our Nation’s Birthday.

• Never give fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging. (23 percent of reported injuries happen to children under age 5.)

• Keep a bucket of water or a hose close-by as a precaution.

• Please obey the local laws.  Do not use illegal fireworks.

• Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.

• Don’t alter or combine fireworks.

• Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight “a dud.”

• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.

• Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.

Water safety at the pool and beach:

• Never swim alone, especially if you are swimming in the ocean, a lake or a river.

• Do not jump into water headfirst unless the area is clearly marked for diving.

• Keep all safety equipment in plain view of the pool.

• Remove all toys from the pool when not in use so that kids aren’t tempted to reach for them.

• Teach children basic water safety tips including how to find the nearest wall and how to pull themselves out of the pool.

• If a child is missing, check the pool first. Go to the edge of the pool and scan the entire pool-bottom and surface-as well as the surrounding pool area.

Safe Grilling:

• Keep grills away from wood siding, deck rails, house eaves, or any other wood or combustible material.

• Keep a fire extinguisher near the barbeque as they cause thousands of fires a year.

• Follow all safety restrictions that come with the manual.

• Keep your grill clean, as grease buildup can be a huge fire hazard.

• Do not allow children or pets near the barbeque.

• Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.

• Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.

Additional Safety Resources:
http://www.fireworksafety.com/
http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/outdoor/fireworks.html
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-care-tips/july-4th.aspx