Fireworks can be dangerous; leave them to the professionals
VermontBiz Independence Day is just ahead, and your plans might include fireworks displays, a backyard picnic or a day at the beach. The American Red Cross offers these tips so you can enjoy a safe, fun holiday.
FIREWORKS SAFETY Nationwide nearly 20,000 fires a year are started by fireworks. In 2023, fireworks claimed eight lives and 9,700 people were treated in hospital emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Sixty-six percent of these injuries occurred in July. The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public firework show put on by professionals. Stay at least 500 feet away from the show. Leave an area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks. If you are setting fireworks off at home, follow these safety steps:
- Never give fireworks to small children, including sparklers.
- Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.
- Always follow the instructions on the packaging.
- Keep a supply of water close by.
- Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
- Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight "a dud."
- Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
- Never use fireworks around pets and keep pets indoors. Exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns or trauma, and many pets are also fearful of loud noises and can become lost, scared or disoriented.
WATER SAFETY Watch the weather and get out of the water at the first sign of lightning or the rumble of thunder. Stay indoors and away from water for 30 minutes after the last lightning flashes or thunder roars.
Plan ahead for aquatic activities:
- Swim only at a beach with a lifeguard, within the designated swimming area. Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards and ask them about local conditions.
- Always designate a “water watcher” whose sole responsibility is to keep a close eye and constant attention on everyone in and around the water until the next water watcher takes over.
- Children, inexperienced swimmers and all boaters should wear properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
- Protect your neck – don’t dive in headfirst. Walk carefully into open waters. Watch out for and avoid aquatic life.
- If you are caught in a rip current, stay calm and don’t fight it. Swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current. Then, turn and swim to shore. If you can't swim to shore, float or tread water until you are free of the rip current and then head toward shore. Draw attention to yourself by waving and calling for help.
Download the free Red Cross First Aid and Swim apps for instant access to safety tips.
HEAT SAFETY Heat is more than uncomfortable, it can be deadly, especially for older adults, the very young and those with chronic medical conditions. Last year, some 2,300 heat-related deaths occurred. To help stay safe, the Red Cross recommends that people take three steps:
- Slow down by postponing or limiting outdoor activities, including strenuous exercise. If you must work outdoors, take frequent breaks and avoid the hottest part of the day by scheduling tasks earlier or later. Hot cars can be deadly — never leave children or pets in your vehicle alone.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks. Check that animals also have access to plenty of fresh water and shade.
- Spend time indoors in an air-conditioned place. If you don’t have air conditioning, go to a public library, shopping mall or a public cooling center. CALL 211 to find an open location. Check on loved ones and neighbors who may be at risk and do not have air conditioning to make sure they are safe.
PICNIC SAFETY
- Wash your hands before preparing the food.
- Don’t leave food out in the hot sun. Keep perishable foods in a cooler with plenty of ice or freezer gel packs.
- If you are going to cook on the grill, never grill indoors. Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches or anything that could catch fire.
- Always supervise the grill when in use. Don’t add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited. Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to keep the chef safe.
- Make sure everyone, including pets, stays away from the grill.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
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