Summer is synonymous with barbecues, gatherings with family and friends, outside activities, and fireworks. Upper Merion Township advises everyone to enjoy fireworks at public displays conducted by professionals, and not to use any fireworks at home. Fireworks may be legal but they are not safe. Each year, during Fourth of July holiday celebrations, national fire statistics have shown an increase in injuries due to fireworks-related incidents.
Additionally, fireworks have caused significant property losses each year such as structure fires, vehicle fires, and other types of fires. If you choose to use legal fireworks, be sure to follow these safety tips:
- 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
- Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands
- Never light them indoors
- Only use them away from people, houses, and flammable material
- Never point or throw fireworks at another person
- Only light one firework at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting
- Never ignite fireworks in a container
- Do not try to re-light 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
Sparklers are also dangerous. Every year, young children can be found with sparklers in hand, but sparklers are a lot more dangerous than most people realize. Sparklers burn at about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals. Sparklers can quickly ignite clothing, and children have received severe burns from dropping sparklers on their feet.
So, grab a blanket and a patch of lawn, kick back and let the experts handle the fireworks show such as Upper Merion Township’s Annual Fourth of July Celebration and Fireworks Display. Learn more.