Enjoy Incident Free Fireworks Displays at Home
Fun and Safety at a Domestic Firework Display
Oct 8, 2009
Fireworks are popular across the globe. The Americans launch them on 4th July. The British do it on 5th November. The Chinese and mainland Europeans have long celebrated New Year with extravagant pyrotechnic displays. Japan, Singapore and many other nations also enjoy fireworks traditions.
Many people attend a public firework display where they are entertained with a spectacle of dazzling brilliance. But large numbers choose to host their own fireworks display at home with family and friends. Because fireworks are explosives these activities are not without risk, but with careful planning and sensible precautions, they can be great fun and highly memorable events.
How to Handle Fireworks Safely
A firework should only be handled by a responsible adult. Children are inherently curious and will want to see them and light them. They need to be taught that fireworks are not toys, that they need to be kept in a closed box at all times, and that they come with instructions that must be read carefully. It is recommended that no one aged under 12 should hold sparklers
Adults should read and obey instructions carefully. They also need to plan where to hold the display, making sure that aeriel fireworks are launched a long way from trees, buildings and wooden fences. These could interrupt flight, or may catch fire.
Care must be taken when preparing for a home firework display. Alcohol and fireworks are a particularly dangerous combination and should be avoided at all times. A flashlight is essential for reading instructions in the dark and also as an aid when lighting the fireworks. Pets should be kept safely indoors and ideally removed from the area. A bucket of water should be prepared as a precaution.
During the firework display children must be kept well away from the area where fireworks are being lit. They should be ignited using a long taper and the person doing the lighting should wear gloves and safety glasses. If a firework is lit but fails to go off it must be left alone. There is a risk of it exploding unexpectedly, injuring anyone nearby.
Clearing Up After a Firework Display
The morning after a display it is essential that the ground is cleared of debris. It is possible that complete or partial fireworks are in the area and these present a risk. They should be disposed of carefully.
Following these simple and common-sense precautions will help to ensure a fun and injury free fireworks party for people of all ages.
Every year the media report stories of injuries resulting from the misuse of fireworks. It is estimated that in 2008 the USA saw 7,000 firework-related injuries, some of them serious. Anyone planning to hold their own firework party wants their guests to take away memories of bright lights in the sky, not flashing blue and red lights on their driveway.
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