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In preparation for the Fourth of July holiday, Registered Nurse and Director of Kinetiq Health Sarah Michaels discusses fireworks safety and fun alternatives to keep your holiday weekend happy and healthy.

Read on for more information!

As the Fourth of July approaches, families and friends will be gathering for pool parties, picnics, cookouts and more.

Along with these celebrations, fireworks are almost synonymous with the Fourth of July holiday. However, we need to take extra precautions when handling fireworks. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, almost 10,000 people are hospitalized from firework injuries each year on average. Nearly 50 percent of those injured are younger than 20 years of age.

Sparklers are the main culprit for these injuries in children. Sparklers can burn as hot as 1,200 to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which is almost as hot as lava and up to six times as hot as a pan of cooking oil. Children should always be supervised when using sparklers and hold them as far away from their face, body and any clothing as possible.

Outside of sparklers, 68 percent of firework injuries are caused by misuse. If you’re planning on setting off fireworks this year, please look at the below safety tips to ensure a safe and fun holiday.

1. Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown bags. This is often a sign that fireworks were made for professional displays and could be very dangerous.
2. Be careful not to place any part of your body directly over the fireworks when lighting them. Lean away and back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
3. Never try to reignite or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully. This is the leading cause of severe hand burns.
4. After fireworks complete their burning, douse it with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.

For even more fun, consider some kid-friendly alternatives like glow sticks, bubbles, noisemakers, and silly string. We wish you a safe and happy Fourth of July weekend!

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