BY: STAFF REPORT | BocaNewsNow.com
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2024 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Fireworks can maim and kill. That’s the reminder from Palm Beach County Fire Rescue as we approach July 4th. The Department issuing this reminder to all in Palm Beach County.
Fireworks and the traditional July 4th Independence Day celebrations can be fun to watch, but also dangerous to handle. Fireworks are unpredictable! They can ignite before you expect them to. They can shoot out in directions you’re not anticipating. Even with the best of intentions and most stringent oversight, unexpected explosions and misfires cause traumatic injuries changing peoples’ lives forever.
In 2023, according to the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were 8 deaths and 9.7K people treated in emergency rooms nationwide for fireworks-related injuries; nearly half were burns. Every year, local firefighters see injuries that can be prevented. Don’t become a statistic!
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue urges everyone: LEAVE IT TO THE PROS – GO SEE A SHOW! Play it safe and let the pyrotechnic professionals light up your night. Check your area’s website or social media for fireworks shows in your area. Sitting in the audience is the safest place to be to stay injury-free.
If a show is not in your plans- REMEMBER THE RISKS and please follow these safety guidelines.
Preparation:
Keep a metal bucket of water or water hose ON and ready to soak duds (fireworks that don’t fully light).
Only use fireworks labelled “emits showers of sparks” or “consumer fireworks”.
Avoid fireworks wrapped in brown paper packaging or product labelled “professional”. These should only be used by trained pyrotechnic professionals.
Keep lighters, matches, and fireworks away from young children to avoid burn injuries.
Pets can get scared. Keep them indoors and drown out loud noises with a TV show or music.
Avoid alcohol use when handling any type of firework.
Fireworks Ignition:
Stay on flat concrete or pavement. Grass can burn easily. Fireworks are UNPREDICTABLE! Keep unused fireworks in a fire-resistant metal container and far away from the ignition area. If a burning firework suddenly flies sideways while it is lit, it is less likely to catch fire to the rest of the batch. Wear pants and closed-toed shoes to protect skin.
Designate ONE person and light ONE at a time. Everyone else should watch as far away as possible or indoors through a window. When lighting a fuse, extend arms far away from the body and keep your head away from the fireworks path. This includes sparklers which burn up to 2,000° degrees Fahrenheit – hot enough to melt metal.
Avoid injuries and property damage. Place, point, and light fireworks AWAY from people, pets, homes, and vehicles. Quickly move away after it is lit. If it does not fully ignite, DO NOT touch or re-light. It may burn uncontrollably or explode. Soak with water instead. Before throwing fireworks away, soak them with water to prevent a fire.
