Tomorrow is Independence Day, the Forth of July. One of our traditions is to watch fireworks displays or shoot them off ourselves. In 2006, 9,200 fireworks-related injuries were treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms. The trend in fireworks-related injuries has been mostly up since 1996, with spikes in 2000-2001, primarily due to celebrations around the advent of a new millennium. The highest injury rates were for children aged 10 to 14. 75% of all injured were male.

Most fireworks injuries involve burns, but there were also contusions, lacerations and other types of injuries. Let’s look at some safety precautions if you’re around fireworks:

Be Prepared, before you light fireworks:

• Use legal fireworks, available at licensed outlets.
• Store fireworks out of children’s reach.
• Keep pets safe indoors.
• Always keep water handy.

Be Safe, when lighting fireworks:

• Only adults should light fireworks.
• Only use outdoors.
• Do not throw fireworks or hold in your hand.
• Protect your eyes.
• Light one firework at a time and move away quickly.
• Never relight a “dud”.

Be Responsible after you finish:

• Soak used fireworks in water.
• Be considerate--clean up used fireworks.
• Keep matches and lighters away from children.

HAVE A SAFE AND FUN FOURTH OF JULY!