Fireworks Aren’t Just Pretty, They’re Dangerous

It’s summer in the northern hemisphere, and for many of us, that means picnics, family reunions, time at the beach, celebrations, and… fireworks! As fun and cool-looking as fireworks are, it’s important to remember they are considered a dangerous good.

Every year, hundreds of injuries and fatalities are reported due to the hazardous and explosive nature of fireworks. Fireworks can cause serious burns, eye injury, and hearing loss. In the United States, the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) reported 12 fireworks-related deaths and over 10,000 injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms in 2019.

Here are some Fireworks Safety Tips from the Canada Safety Council:

Follow the laws and regulations regarding the use of fireworks.
Purchase your fireworks from a reliable source that sells products meeting safety standards.
Stay away from illegal explosives or firecrackers and do not improvise and make your own fireworks.
Read the instructions; this is worth repeating: read the instructions, cautions, and warnings on each firework item.
Store unused fireworks in a closed box away from the firework being lit, and do not smoke around the fireworks.
Set up outdoors in a clear, open space. Light fireworks on a hard, flat, and level surface to ensure stability.
Check the wind and have the wind blowing away from the spectators.
Spectators should be at least the safety distance written on the fireworks label away from the display, keeping special supervision on children.
Have a bucket of sand, a supply of water, and a working fire extinguisher on hand.
Only adults (18 years or over) should handle the fireworks. If you are impaired (alcohol or drugs), do not handle the fireworks.
Light only one firework item at a time.
Wear protective eyeglasses and gloves. Light at arm’s length and then stand back.
Never lean over the fireworks and keep hair and clothes away from fire sources.
Never attempt to re-light a “dud” or defective firework.
Never hold a lighted firework item in your hand.
Sparklers should be immersed in a bucket of sand to cool down after burning out, as they remain very hot for some time.
Fireworks should be disposed of safely and properly.