THE ISSUE: Fourth of July fireworks

OUR OPINION: Safety guidelines are to be taken seriously

The Fourth of July is a time for celebration across the country, and here in South Carolina, fireworks are a crowd favorite each year. Whether at a professional show or in the back yard, fireworks can be fun to watch — but they can also be very dangerous.

In 2007, an estimated 2,600 children ages 14 and under were treated in U.S. emergency rooms for injuries involving fireworks during the fireworks season, which runs from the middle of June until the middle of July. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, approximately 40 percent of the people injured by fireworks were under the age of 15.

“Don’t ever let kids play with fireworks, period,” says Heidi Vaughn, Safe Kids South Carolina director. “They’re intended for use by adults in open spaces and children should watch from a safe distance with plenty of adult supervision to make sure they don’t get too close.”

As with any activity involving hazardous equipment, keep all children under active supervision at all times and give them your undivided attention. “The safest way to enjoy fireworks is by attending a public fireworks display,” says John Reich, South Carolina state fire marshal. In 2008, 238 fireworks-related fire incidents were reported by South Carolina fire departments.

We join Safe Kids South Carolina in urging these precautions for adults using fireworks:

n Only purchase fireworks from a licensed dealer selling certified fireworks.

n Light fireworks only on smooth, flat surfaces; never shoot them off in metal or glass containers.

n Aim them away from spectators, buildings, dry leaves and flammable materials.

n Do not try to relight fireworks that malfunction. Throw them away.

n Do not carry fireworks in your pocket or hold them close to your face.

n Never have a portion of your body directly over a firework device when lighting the fuse. Move back to a safe distance immediately after lighting.

n Do not modify fireworks or use homemade fireworks.

n Keep a phone handy, and know first aid for burns. Also keep a fire extinguisher handy and know how to use it.

Fireworks, including sparklers and flares, can cause serious burns as well as blast injuries that can permanently impair vision and hearing. Parents often don’t realize that sparklers can cause more injuries to children under age 5 than any other type of firework.

“Teach your children how to call 911 in an emergency. Also teach them what to do if their clothing catches on fire - ‘stop, drop and roll,’” Vaughn said.

Fireworks should be handled and used in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and all warning labels. Doing so can be the difference between fun and tragedy.

For more information about fireworks safety and burn prevention, contact Safe Kids South Carolina at 803-744-4029 or visit www.usa.safekids.org.

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