June 12, 2007

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A Fourth of July celebration just wouldn’t be the same without fireworks. But this year many people will have to search for other forms of entertainment, as counties across the region have banned fireworks due to the dry conditions. Drought or not, fireworks result in thousands of emergency room visits and millions of dollars worth of damages each year, most commonly occurring during the month surrounding the Fourth of July (June 20 to July 20).

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Injury Control Research Center encourages anyone considering using fireworks to pay extra attention to safety guidelines and fire alerts to decrease the risk of injury.

“When playing with fireworks, injuries and property damage can occur in an instant – and things can get out of control quickly,” said Katherine Terry, program manager at the UAB Injury Control Research Center.

All fireworks are potentially dangerous, even those that comply with the Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations, she says. According to statistics published by the National Fire Protection Association, 95 percent of emergency room visits due to fireworks injuries involved fireworks permitted for consumer use under federal regulations.

To make matters worse, fireworks geared toward children – such as sparklers, fountains, snakes, party poppers and ground spinners – can be some of the most dangerous. The majority of those injured by fireworks are between the ages of 5 and 9.

In addition to injuries, fireworks are responsible for igniting nearly 30,000 fires in 2004, which resulted in more than $20 million in property loss, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

Experts at the UAB Injury Control Research Center advise those wishing to enjoy fireworks this season to either leave it to the professionals or follow these safety tips:

Firework Safety Tips

• Contact local police or fire station to find out about any restrictions or regulations in the area.
  
• Always read and follow label directions.
  
• Always have an adult present.
  
• Use outdoors only.
  
• Always keep lots of water handy (a garden hose and a bucket).
  
• Never experiment or attempt to make your own fireworks.
  
• Light only one firework at a time.
  
• Never re-light a "dud" firework (wait 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water).
  
• Never give fireworks to small children.
  
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
  
• Dispose of fireworks properly by soaking them in water before disposing of them.
  
• Never throw or point fireworks at other people.
  
• Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.
  
• The shooter should always wear eye protection and never have any part of his or her body over the firework.