Light Up the Sky — Safely

Celebrating the Fourth of July with fireworks is as American as apple pie. But did you know more fires and burns are reported on the Fourth than any other due to improper setup? Florida has some of the loosest laws in regards to fireworks, so it is important that families research and prepare before marking our nation’s independence.

Here are ways your family can enjoy the flashing lights.

·         When you buy fireworks, make sure the fireworks are legal in Florida and are being sold by licensed retailers.

·         Choose a location that is clear of trees and at least 100 feet from you home. Never use fireworks indoors or under a cover patio.

·         Always have a fire extinguisher on hand.

·         No one younger than 18 and no one who’s had a few too many should light fireworks.

·         All bystanders should be at least 50 feet away from all fireworks since they have been known to misfire or fire in the wrong direction.

·         Although some fireworks, like Roman Candles, indicate that they are safe to hold while lighting, never hold a firework while lighting or while it is going off.

·         Light one firework at a time.

·         If for some reason a firework is lighted and it does not go off, don’t approach it and don’t attempt to relight it.

·         Make sure that all pets are indoors. Animals have very sensitive ears and can be extremely frightened by explosions.

·         Before disposing of fireworks, douse all dead fireworks with a significant amount of water. Fifteen percent of fires reported on Fourth of July start in the trash.

·         If someone gets injured, immediately seek medical attention.

Your fun can be easily spoiled by injury, so keep safety in the forefront of any activities. If you really want to be safe, relax and enjoy one of the free fireworks shows across the bay area.

 We hope you a have a blast, or more appropriately, lots of fun this Fourth of July!

www.tbparenting.com