Fireworks safety tips for Independence Day

For a safe and fun Fourth of July, consider letting the pros handle the explosives

For many people, Fourth of July festivities aren't complete without a few sparklers or a big, brilliant fireworks display. But if you don't leave the explosives to the professionals, your party or barbecue could end in tragedy.

According to 2005 estimates from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, fireworks and other celebratory combustion or explosive devices killed 4 people and resulted in some 10,800 hospital-treated injuries. Fireworks also caused an estimated 32,300 fires per year from 2000-2004, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

Most of these accidents, which mainly injure the hands, eyes, head, and face, occur in the one-month period around the July 4th holiday. Children under 15 suffer almost half of these injuries, and many victims are innocent bystanders, rather than the person lighting the fuse.

What goes wrong might surprise you

There are the obvious problems that result when the person setting off the fireworks is careless. But even the most careful revelers can face mishaps resulting from things such as faulty firecrackers, premature or delayed explosions, errant flight paths, unexpected gusts of wind that can topple fireworks, and spewing sparks or debris.

And the risks aren't limited to Roman candles and rockets. Sparklers, which many people assume are safe, can burn at 2,000°F (hot enough to melt gold) and have been identified as the most common cause of firework-related injuries among children under 5.

Safety tips

1. Let the pros handle it. Your safest bet is to leave the fireworks to the professionals and enjoy the big show from a safe distance.
   
   
2. No kids allowed. Never allow young children to handle fireworks or sparklers. Never. Older children should only be allowed to use fireworks under tight adult supervision.
   
   
3. Keep it legal. Check with local police to see what devices are legal to use in your area. Several states, including New York and New Jersey, ban all consumer fireworks, including sparklers. Check the CPSC full list of state laws. Don't experiment or try to make your own. And, of course, legal doesn't mean safe. According to the CSPC, illegal products cause only about 2% percent of firecracker injuries.
   
   
4. Look for labels and read the instructions. The manufacturer's name, instructions, and warnings are required by law. So if they are missing, you probably have a counterfeit product that could be even more dangerous than legal fireworks. A 2004 test by the CPSC and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection of imported fireworks shipments found that nearly 28 percent of the products violated federal safety standards.
   
   
5. Check for recalls. Make sure the product you have has not been recalled. Go to the CPSC Web site for recalls.
   
   
6. Stay alert. Never mix alcohol and fireworks.
   
   
7. Know how it works. A fuse is not a simple wick; it contains powder and is designed to burn from 3 to 9 seconds.
   
   
8. Keep fireworks flat. And never ignite them in a container, especially one made of glass or metal.
   
   
9. Think ahead. Anticipate what will happen if winds change abruptly.
   
   
10. Maintain a safe distance. Don't stand (or keep any body parts) directly over fireworks while lighting them.
    
    
11. All clear. Make sure everyone else is out of range before lighting fireworks.
    
    
12. Take precautions. Keep a bucket of water handy.
    
    
13. Let sleeping fireworks lie. Don't try to relight fireworks that don't ignite. Wait 15 to 20 minutes, then douse and soak them with water and throw them away.
    
    
14. Ear and eye guards. Consider wearing hearing protection for items that make noise, as well as eye protection.
    
    
15. Fast first aid. If you do get injured from fireworks, seek immediate medical help. For eye injuries, don't rub or apply pressure to the eye itself.

Of course, if you follow our first safety tip and skip the rest, you're most likely to enjoy yourself and stay safe. So, fire up the grill (see our report on grills, available to subscribers), kick up your feet (see our report on outdoor furniture, available to subscribers), and have a safe and fun holiday.