How hot does a Sparkler get?
June 19, 2010
St. Charles County, MO
It’s summertime and the Fourth of July is just around the corner. The brightly colored fireworks sales tents dot the county in preparation for the start of fireworks sales. The Fourth of July presents a large fire danger and safety hazard to our citizens. Fireworks are the cause of many fires and burn injuries. The Firefighters and Paramedics with the St. Charles county Emergency Services Association want everyone to have a safe holiday celebration. Fires and serious injuries can be caused by the careless handling of fireworks in areas exposed to sparks or live fireworks. Many of the injuries involving fireworks are usually burns to the hands and eyes. For example, the temperature at the end of the sparkler reaches 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit and can easily cause a burn. This is good information for parents to be aware of when they give a lit Sparkler to their young child.
In the U.S., the Consumer Product Safety Commission and National Fire Protection Association estimate that on average, 10,000 people will be treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with fireworks each year. With this in mind, the safe handling and use of fireworks is extremely important for any 4th of July holiday celebration. It is always safer to go to watch a fireworks display controlled by a licensed company. These displays are carefully controlled, have few accidents and are enjoyed by many.
If you are going to set off fireworks on your own, first make sure that it is legal in your area to do so. Next, be sure to follow these important safety tips:
*Never allow children to play with, handle or ignite fireworks.
*Always read and follow all warnings and instructions.
*Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.
*Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves and other flammable materials.
*Never try to relight fireworks that have not fully functioned.
*Always keep a bucket of water close by in case of a malfunction or fire and for pouring on fireworks that don’t go off.
*Never have any portion of your body directly over a firework while lighting.
*Never experiment with homemade fireworks or set off illegal fireworks.
By following these simple safety tips, the St. Charles County Emergency Services Association hopes that everyone has a safe and fun Fourth of July in 2010. For more fire safety information and links to the Fire and Ambulance websites for your area, go to www.sccesa.org. Other useful sites for fireworks safety information are: www.usfa.fema.gov, www.cpsc.gov and www.nfpa.org. These are national sites with a large amount of safety information.
From the Wentzville Fire Protection District
Copyright 2010 Neighbors About Town
