Celebrate the 4th of July Safely

Check Out Our 4th of July Safety Tips!

Summer is a time for outdoor celebrations with loved ones – and in July especially, fireworks are often part of the festivities. However, handling fireworks at home can be dangerous and injure people of all ages each year. Read on for our tips from the National Safety Council for summer firework safety.

Celebrate America’s birthday the smart and safe way this year with these tips from the National Safety Council:

Never allow young children to handle fireworks.

Older children should use them only under close adult supervision.

Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol.

Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear.

Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands.

Never light fireworks indoors.

Only use fireworks away from people, houses and flammable material.

Never point or throw fireworks at another person.

Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting.

Never ignite devices in a container.

Do not try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks.

Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding.

Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire.

Never use illegal fireworks.

Consider these alternatives to sparklers: glow sticks, confetti poppers or colored streamers.

Alternatively, head to your local fireworks show and let the professionals handle the fireworks.

Source: “Leave Fireworks to the Experts,” National Safety Council, nsc.org, June 9, 2022.