The Fourth of July can be lots of fun. But, it also comes with some serious safety hazards.
Fireworks are dangerous — an average of 250 people a day end up in the emergency room every year around Independence Day. Burns and injuries to hands and fingers are the most common reason.
So, here are a few guidelines you should follow:
— Watch the kids. Don't let them learn the hard way about the dangers of fireworks.
— Avoid professional-grade fireworks. You can tell these apart by the plain brown paper packaging. Professional-grade fireworks pack more punch than Black Cats or Roman candles.
— Keep a source of water nearby in case of a fire. Make sure fireworks are legal wherever you plan on celebrating.
For more firework safety tips, visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website.
