| Danny and his pals had made a really neat | | | | |
| discovery. If they held a soda bottle in | | | | * If community ordinances allow fireworks, |
| their hands and lit a bottle rocket inside | | | | here are precautions to take when using them: |
| it, they could use them like weapons. | | | | |
| | | | * Always read and follow the manufacturer's |
| They weren't totally dumb, either. They put | | | | directions. |
| on their sunglasses so nobody would get hit | | | | |
| in the eye. They should have worn a coat of | | | | * Store fireworks in a cool, dry area, hidden |
| armor, too, because it wasn't long before two | | | | from children. |
| of the gang got hit in the face and were | | | | |
| burned. | | | | * Fireworks should only be lit outdoors on a |
| | | | smooth, flat surface, and away from |
| The pain was bad enough, but it went away. | | | | structures and any flammable materials. |
| The scars on their skin will be there a long, | | | | Thousands of fireworks incidents cause |
| long time. | | | | millions of dollars in damage each year. |
| | | | |
| According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety | | | | * Do not light fireworks inside a can or |
| Commission, there are more than 10,000 | | | | bottle. |
| emergency room cases related to fireworks | | | | |
| each year. Sadder still, there are deaths. | | | | * Don't assume consumer fireworks are |
| | | | harmless. The heat from a sparkler (1,800 |
| Injuries from the intense heat of fireworks, | | | | degrees F) can melt gold. Imagine the harm it |
| typically harming the eyes, head, hands, arms | | | | can do to a child's flesh or eye. |
| or legs, can cause blindness, lacerations, | | | | |
| amputations, and burns. Many of the injuries | | | | * Keep spectators at least 30 to 40 feet away |
| involve children under the age of 15. With | | | | before lighting fireworks. It is estimated |
| the Fourth of July rapidly approaching, keep | | | | that nearly 40 percent of fireworks injuries |
| these things in mind: | | | | are to bystanders. |
| | | | |
| Do Your Homework | | | | * Keep a water bucket or hose nearby for |
| | | | emergencies. |
| * Check with your local police department to | | | | |
| learn what, if any, fireworks may be legally | | | | * Do not try to light a firework that |
| discharged in your area. | | | | misfired. Soak duds with water. Pick them up |
| | | | with a long-handled shovel, and put them in a |
| * Display (Class B) fireworks are those used | | | | nonflammable container. |
| for public display. They are outlawed by the | | | | |
| federal government for consumer use. | | | | * Wear hearing protection. |
| | | | |
| * Consumer (Class C) fireworks are legal for | | | | If The Kids Use Fireworks |
| public sale in numerous states. These | | | | |
| consumer fireworks include fountains, bottle | | | | * Only adults should handle fireworks. |
| rockets, cylindrical fountains, Roman | | | | However, if you decide to let older children |
| candles, rockets with sticks, mines and | | | | use fireworks under your supervision: |
| shells, helicopter-type rockets, certain | | | | |
| sparklers, party poppers, missile-type | | | | * Discuss safety procedures. Teach children |
| rockets, illuminating torches, toy smoke | | | | to Stop, Drop, and Roll if their clothes |
| devices, revolving wheels and firecrackers | | | | catch fire. |
| with no more than 50 milligrams of powder. | | | | |
| | | | * Show children how to put out fireworks by |
| * Remember! Even fireworks that are legal | | | | using water or a fire extinguisher. |
| cause hundreds of blinding injuries each | | | | |
| year. For example, bottle rockets can move as | | | | * Never place your face or any other body |
| fast as 200 miles per hour, explode in midair | | | | part over fireworks. |
| and fly in any direction. What's safe about | | | | |
| that? | | | | * Never carry fireworks in your pocket. |
| | | | |
| * Find a safe and legal fireworks display | | | | * Leave the area immediately if friends are |
| conducted by licensed professionals. Even | | | | using fireworks without parental supervision. |
| then: | | | | |
| | | | * Do not dismantle fireworks, or try to make |
| -stay in the designated watching area. | | | | your own. |
| | | | |
| -do not allow children to retrieve a souvenir | | | | * Do not hold any fireworks in your hand once |
| shell, even one that has exploded. Shell | | | | you have lit them. |
| fragments could contain dangerous explosives. | | | | |
| | | | * Do not throw fireworks. |
| Family Backyard Pyrotechnics | | | | |