Brilliant sky flowers, aka fireworks, create stunning pictures and are a traditional part of celebrating different holidays, particularly Independence Day. When handled by professionals, you get a beautiful view. When you put on your own pyrotechnic display, you also get some serious risks. The National Fire Protection Association has collected some sobering numbers about at-home fireworks. Did you know that:
- Each year, 18,500 fires start due to fireworks.
- An average of $43 million in property damage can be linked directly to fireworks.
- Fireworks-related injuries total up to nearly 12K per year, and 26 percent of these injuries are on kids younger than 15.
- Fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires per year, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and 16,900 outside and other fires. These fires caused an average of three deaths, 40 civilian injuries, and an average of $43 million in direct property damage.
While fireworks are a fun part of the celebrations, make sure you follow these 10 sensible safety recommendations before lighting up the night sky.
Safety First for Injury-Free Fireworks
- Don't drink alcohol before setting off fireworks, and always have an adult in charge. Young children should never have fireworks, even sparklers.
- Make sure to buy fireworks that are legal in your area from a licensed fireworks dealer.
- Follow the packaging instructions carefully before setting off each firework.
- Never put a firework in your pocket. Ever. Also, don't use glass or metal containers to shoot fireworks. Glass can explode, and the metal can ignite the ground around it.
- Make everyone stand back at a safe distance.
- Don't forget your safety gear. A pair of protective goggles can help you avoid one of the most common injuries related to fireworks.
- Always aim fireworks away from people, and never throw them.
- After lighting off a firework, don't immediately try to grab it. Instead, let it stand for half an hour, then submerge it completely in water and let it drain. At the end of the night, put all of the spent fireworks in a covered trash can.
- Light one firework at a time, being careful to stay at the rear. Never hover over a firework or try to relight one that doesn't go off.
- Always set off fireworks from a flat, debris-free fireproof surface with a bucket full of water or garden hose standing by.
Even when you follow all of these safety tips, accidents can happen and leave you cleaning up a much bigger mess after the holiday.
Contact Utah Smoke and Fire Damage Restoration Experts in Case of a Fire This SummerÂ
If a fire does break out this 4th of July, after the fire is out, you'll want to immediately contact Utah Flood Cleanup to help minimize the smoke and fire damage to your home. Our powerful tools will get rid of any lingering smoke and remove soot from walls, floors and furniture. The faster you start cleanup, the less damage you'll have to deal with and the faster you can go through the insurance claim process. If you plan to set off fireworks this year, make sure you have our number, 801-416-2666, posted and saved, so you can get in touch if a fire emergency should happen with a free phone consultation. We are available 24/7 for emergency services and offer affordable financing options.
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