Fireworks
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates
that 8,800 people were treated for fireworks-related injuries
in 2002. During the past 10 years, about a third of the injuries
associated with fireworks have been caused by illegal explosives
or homemade fireworks.
- Check local laws. Make sure that fireworks are legal where
you live.
- If they are legal, know what kinds are legal and what
kinds aren't.
- Don't let small children play with fireworks or set them
off. Adults should either ignite the fireworks, or supervise
older children who are doing it.
- Read the warnings, rules and instructions. Then, after
you read them, follow them to the letter.
- Wear eye protection and keep all parts of your body out
of the line of fire.
- Make sure the audience is out of range of misfired or
misdirected rockets and roman candles.
- Set off the fireworks on a hard, flat surface away from
anything flammable.
- Wait several minutes before walking up to a firework that
didn't go off. Don't try to relight duds or misfires. Soak
them in water.
- Have a bucket of water or a garden hose handy.
- Buy fireworks from reliable retailers.
- Never experiment with fireworks or try to make homemade
ones.
- Avoid storing fireworks for extended periods. If you must
store them, keep them in a cool, dry place.
- When the show is over, soak the expended fireworks and
dispose of them in a trash container.
- M-80s and "blockbusters" are not legal fireworks;
they are dangerous, banned explosives. They are extremely
dangerous. Avoid anything that isn't clearly labeled with
the name of the product, the manufacturer's name and instructions
for proper use.
- If you attend a professional display:
- You don't need to get close. The best view
is from several hundreds yards away.
- If debris falls nearby, don't touch it.
- Leave pets at home. Dogs, in particular,
can have their hearing damaged by the explosions.
Credit:
http://www.safetycenter.navy.mil/safetips/fireworks-p.htm
Related
Information:
NBA
Strategic Partner - Office
of the 21st Century Workforce of the Department of Labor
NBA
Resource Article - Tips
for Taking Better Photos of Holiday Lights
NBA
Resource Article - The
Fourth of July 2004
Reprint
of this article does not constitute an endorsement by the National
Business Association; the article is for informational purposes for
our members and viewers of our Web site.
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