Fireworks are a summer tradition for many families. Unfortunately, injuries often seem to follow. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that:

 

$          7 fireworks-related deaths occurred in 2007

$          7,000 people were treated in Emergency Rooms in 2007

$          Almost half of the injuries were to children under the age of 15

$          70% of firework injuries were to males

$          Firecrackers caused the most injures, followed by rockets and sparklers

$          Burns are the most common injuries from fireworks

$          In 2006, fireworks caused an estimated 32,600 reported fires, including 1,700        total structure fires, 600 vehicle fires, and 30,300 outside and other fires. This is    according to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA).

 

On Independence Day in a typical year, more U.S. fires are reported than on any other day, and fireworks account for half of those fires, more than any other cause of fires.

 

Parents, who understand that firecrackers, bottle rockets, and roman candles, etc. can cause injuries, often let their younger kids play with sparklers because they think they are safe. But these sparklers can reach over 1000^oF and cause half of the injuries to children under age five and 10 percent of fireworks-related injuries overall. So even sparklers should be avoided.

 

Florida Statutes specifically prohibit firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, roman candles, daygo bombs, and any fireworks containing explosive or flammable compounds.

 

So skip buying fireworks that you would plan to use at home, and instead take your family to see a public fireworks show this year.