July & August are National Fireworks Safety Months

The National Council urges consumers to follow these other important safety tips:

• Only use fireworks outdoors.
• Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks.
• Never give fireworks to young children and always wear safety glasses.
• Always have a bucket of water or water hose nearby.
• Alcohol and fireworks do not mix!

Sparkler injuries accounted for 1/3 of all firework injuries to children 5 years or younger.

The National Council on Fireworks Safety offers these safety steps for sparklers:

• Sparkles should ALWAYS be used under close adult supervision.
• Always remain standing while using sparklers.
• Never hold a child in your arms while using sparklers.
• Sparklers and bare feet can be a painful combination. Always wear closed-toe shoes when using sparklers.
• Never hand a lighted sparkler to another person. Give them the unlit sparkler and then light it.
• Always stand at least 6 feet from another person while using sparklers.
• Never throw sparklers.
• Show children how to hold sparklers away from their body and at arm’s length.
• Teach children not to wave sparklers, especially wooden stick sparklers, or run while holding sparklers.

Sparklers have been a traditional means of celebration for hundreds of years. Let’s teach our children how to use them safely and help prevent needless injuries.