Prevention Works - Fireworks Safety for Labor Day

We know fireworks are fun and young kids look adorable holding those sparklers. Unfortunately, fireworks can cause serious injuries to children, including devastating burns and other injuries. The best way to keep your children safe is to not use any fireworks at home. Attend public fireworks displays and leave the lighting to the professionals.

THE FACTS: More than 3,000 children under the age of 15 are sent to the emergency room each year in the United States because of fireworks. Sparklers, which are typically viewed by parents as relatively harmless fireworks for children, account for one-third of the injuries to children under five. 

If you plan to use fireworks, make sure to follow these tips to keep your kids as safe as possible.

1. Closely supervise children around fireworks at all times.                                                                                                                                        
2. Little arms are too short to hold sparklers, which can heat up to 1,200 degrees. How about this? Let your young children use glow sticks instead. They can be just as fun but they don’t burn at a temperature hot enough to melt glass.                                                                                     
3. Always have a bucket of water and/or a fire extinguisher nearby. Know how to operate the fire extinguisher properly.