Despite the obvious dangers of fireworks, few people understand the risks of playing with them, which can result in devastating burns, other bodily injuries, fires, or even death according to Ridgefield Fire Marshal David Lathrop.
In 2014, U.S. hospitals emergency rooms treated an estimated 11,400 people for fireworks-related injures; 55% of these injuries were to the extremities, 38% were to the hands, Lathrop said.
The rate of fireworks injuries was highest for young children under four years old, mainly from sparklers, followed by children ages 10 to 14.
“The best way to protect your family is to not use any fireworks at home,” Lathrop said. “Instead, attend public fireworks displays and leave the fireworks to the professionals.”
However, since spark-emitting fireworks are legal in Connecticut— state law says that consumer fireworks may only be purchased by people 18 years or older — the fire department offered some safety rules to follow.
“Remember, little arms of children are too short to hold sparklers,” Lathrop said. “Sparklers burn at 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit. By comparison, glass melts at 900 degrees Fahrenheit or wood burns at 575 degrees Fahrenheit.
“It is much safer if younger children use glow sticks rather than sparklers.”
Here are fireworks safety tips passed on by the Ridgefield Fire Department.
• Closely supervise adults and children around fireworks at all times.
• Do not wear loose clothing while using fireworks; the professionals wear safety gear when firing them.
• Always wear foot protection. After sparklers have completed emitting sparks, they are still hot and a dropped used sparkler can cause burns if stepped on in bare feet.
• After using sparklers, they should be immersed in a can or bucket of water to cool them immediately.
• Never light fireworks inside or up close to buildings or structures or areas where there is dry brush or dry grass. Always have a garden hose at the ready when using any fireworks.
• Never point fireworks at people, and always away from yourself.
• If watching fireworks, always stand a distance away from lit fireworks.
• If a device/firework does not go off, stay away from it for a half hour and then spray it with a garden hose.
• Never use any fireworks that are aerial devices or that will explode, such as bottle rockets, firecrackers, cherry bombs, etc.
Fire Chief Kevin Tappe and the entire Ridgefield Fire Department wish everyone a safe Independence Day and urge everyone to attend the public fireworks displays rather than use home fireworks.
“We hope these safety tips will help make the 4th of July safe for you and your family. We all can enjoy fireworks safety if we follow a few simple safety tips.”
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