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Leave the fireworks to the professionals

By Phillip Kerns, Chief

Frankenmuth F.D

  Summer is synonymous with barbecues, parades, and fireworks displays. The National Safety Council advises everyone to enjoy fireworks at public displays, conducted by professionals, and not to use any fireworks at home They may be legal, but they are not safe.

  Kerns reminds the public that the Frankenmuth Fire Department has seen the ill-effect of home-based fireworks and sparks starting fires, so just go to a public display, as there are so many opportunities to enjoy them, and leave those concerns to the professionals.

  Every year, thousands of people are injured badly enough to require medical treatment after fireworks-related incidents, with many of the injuries to children and young adults. While the majority of these incidents are due to amateurs attempting to use professional-grade, homemade, or other illegal fireworks or explosives, less powerful devices like small firecrackers and sparklers can cause significant injuries.

  Additionally, fireworks start an average of 19,000 fires each year. If after reading the above, you still wish to buy some of your own legal fireworks, consult safety tip websites like nfpa.org prior to purchasing or lighting your own fireworks. Better yet, grab a blanket and patch of lawn, kick back, and let the experts handle the fireworks show.

  And if you are still inclined to buy some, beware that every year, young children can be found along parade routes and at festivals with sparklers in hand, but sparklers are a lot more dangerous than most people think.

  Sparklers burn at about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals. Sparklers can quickly ignite clothing, and children have received severe burns from dropping sparklers on their feet.

  According to the National Fire Protection Association, sparklers alone account for more that 25 percent of emergency room visits for fireworks injuries. For children ages five or less, sparklers accounted for nearly half of the total estimated injuries. Consider using safer alternatives such as glow sticks, confetti poppers, or colored streamers.

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