Each year, over 8000 people are injured using fireworks. Children ages 10 to 14 yrs had the highest injury rate for fireworks-related injuries due to novelty fireworks. The most common injuries sustained from fireworks were blindness, 3rd degree burns and scarring affecting the following body parts: hands, eyes, face, legs, trunk, arms and shoulders. Please take the following precautions to teach your children how to prevent being a statistic.

Firework Safety Tips

• Light fireworks outdoors in a clear area away from on lookers, combustibles or flammable material
• Obey local laws
• Always have water handy-a hose or bucket of water
• Only use fireworks as intended
• Do not try to alter them or combine them
• Never re-light a "dud" firework
• Use common sense when using fireworks
• Spectators should keep a safe distance from the shooter
• Only a person over age 12 should be allowed to handle sparklers of any type
• Do not ever use homemade fireworks or illegal explosives
• Light fireworks one device at a time and never ignite devices in a container
• Do not allow any running or horseplay while fireworks are being used
• Never allow children to ignite fireworks