The Fourth of July is a time for celebration across the country, and here in Otsego County, fireworks are a crowd favorite each year. Whether at a professional show or in the backyard, fireworks can be fun to watch, but they can also be dangerous.
In 2007, an estimated 2,600 children ages 14 and younger 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, about 40 percent of the people injured by fireworks were under the age of 15.
"Don't ever let kids play with fireworks, period," said Rich McCaffery, a community educator with Bassett Healthcare and Safe Kids of Otsego County. "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 children under active supervision at all times. "The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to watch them at a community event where professionals handle them," McCaffery said.
Safe Kids of Otsego County recommends these precautions for adults using fireworks:
Light fireworks only on smooth, flat surfaces, and aim them away from spectators, buildings, dry leaves and flammable materials.
Do not try to relight fireworks that malfunction.
Do not carry fireworks in your pocket or hold them close to your face.
Visit www.recalls.gov to make sure the pyrotechnic devices you are using are not subject to any safety recalls.
Do not modify fireworks or use homemade fireworks.
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. "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,'" McCaffery added.
Where permitted by law, fireworks should be handled and used in strict accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and all warning labels.
Safe Kids of Otsego County has a new interactive publication, Summer Safety, and it's available as part of its public outreach. For more information and to request copies, contact McCaffery, at 547-5256 or richard.mccaffery@bassett.org or Coleen Vesely, Bassett HealthcareTrauma and Stroke Program coordinator, at 547- 4812 or coleen.vesely@bassett.org.
Safe Kids of Otsego County works to prevent accidental childhood injury, the leading killer of children 14 and younger. It is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations dedicated to preventing accidental injury. Safe Kids of Otsego County was founded in 2000 and is led by Bassett Healthcare.
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