With the sights and sounds of fireworks set to fill the skies Saturday, residents are reminded that practicing proper firework safety ensures everyone will have a happy Fourth of July.
Safe Kids Emporia Spokesperson Bev Long recently joined KVOE’s Newsmaker Two segment to discuss proper firework etiquette. Long says on average, fireworks lead to around 180 trips to the hospital over the Fourth of July holiday weekend and over 18,000 fires each year.
Long says when it comes to putting on your own patriotic display it is important to make sure any and all fireworks are thoroughly out of reach from small children. This includes sparklers, which are a big favorite for younger individuals but also present a serious risk of injury as they can often reach up to 2,000 degrees when lit and can cause significant injuries if mishandled.
Long says although they recommend children under the age of 12 not handle any fireworks, that does not mean they can’t still get in on the fun.
Long adds residents should never set off fireworks while indoors or while intoxicated. Additionally, once the fireworks display has concluded, Long says residents need to also properly dispose of any remaining debris.
For more helpful tips or information visit Safekids.org.
