Austin Fire and Flood

Firework Safety Tips

Every fourth of July, fireworks are a popular way to celebrate America’s birthday. However, they can be very dangerous and cause significant fire damage if people don’t handle them properly.

So in the interest of safety, the team at Austin Fire and Flood is here to talk about some basic firework safety tips for this summer. Contact the company for any questions about water and fire damage restoration services!

Did you know that over 200 people sustain firework-related injuries on the 4th of July every year? Moreover, firework accidents cause over 20,000 fires every year and millions of dollars in fire damage.

So it’s best to be as safe as possible when playing with fireworks. Below are some tips to maximize safety and security.

Obey the Law

First things first, don’t use any illegal fireworks. Most states and municipalities restrict what kinds of fireworks people can use to minimize the chances of injury and fire damage. Make sure to understand what kinds of fireworks are legal and which are illegal in the neighborhood or city.

Keep Children Away from Fireworks

Kids love the lights and sounds of fireworks, but they need to stay a safe distance away. Even simple fireworks like sparklers can burn at over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, so they can pose a serious danger to children. Never leave kids unsupervised when playing with fireworks.

Use a Wide Open Space

Always set off fireworks in a wide, open space with flat ground. Setting fireworks off near trees and bushes significantly increases the risk of fire damage. Sloped ground can also cause the fireworks to fly off in an unexpected direction.

Use Eye and Hand Protection

Always use eye and hand protection when setting up and setting off fireworks, even for small things like sparklers or roman candles. Even low-power fireworks burn at high temperatures and can cause skin and eye damage. Never put hands or face near a lit firework.

Discard All Dud Fireworks

Some fireworks won’t go off even when someone lights them. Make sure to quickly dispose of all these “duds” and other malfunctioning fireworks. Never try to relight dud fireworks as they might go off incorrectly and cause an explosion.

Keep Water Close By

Always have a source of water nearby to put out any accidental fires, whether it’s a garden hose, bucket of water, or a fire extinguisher. Also, discard all spent fireworks in a bucket of water to prevent smoldering embers from starting a fire.

Don’t Drink

Although alcohol and fireworks are a fourth of July tradition, alcohol impairs judgment and reduces reaction time. If people are drinking, have a designated sober person actually light the fireworks.

Fire Damage Restoration Services in Austin

Fireworks are great fun but require responsible handling. Make sure to take all relevant precautions before handling fireworks to minimize the chances of fire injury and fire damage. If fireworks do cause property damage, make sure to call a professional fire damage restoration company in Austin, TX.