Every Fourth of July thousands of children and adults are treated in emergency rooms for injuries, mostly burns to the hands, head and face from experimenting with fireworks. But unless you are a pyrotechnic professional, you should not play around with these dangerous devices.

For safety’s sake, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children and adults avoid lighting fireworks at home and instead attend public fireworks displays to commemorate the Fourth. However, if you choose to use fireworks, it’s important that you recognize the risks you assume and take precautions to help keep you and those around you safe.

Recognize the Risks

• Fireworks are explosives, not playthings.
• Fireworks can cause severe burns, scars and disfigurement that can last a lifetime.
• Fireworks that are often thought to be safe, such as sparklers, can reach temperatures above 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, and can burn users and bystanders.
• Sparklers cause the greatest number of injuries, with children ages 5 to 14 being injured by sparklers more than any other type of fireworks.
• Fireworks can set off fires causing significant property damage, especially under the drought conditions we are currently experiencing.
• One-third of all eye injuries caused by fireworks result in permanent blindness.

Follow Recommended Precautions

• Always read and follow label directions.
• Always have water on hand (a garden hose and a bucket) in case of fire.
• Adults should supervise the lighting of all fireworks. Children should not play with or ignite fireworks.
• Buy from reliable sellers and stay away from illegal explosives.
• Never make your own fireworks.
• Use fireworks outdoors only, on a smooth, flat surface away from structures, trees and shrubbery and other flammable materials.
• Light only one firework at a time.
• The shooter should always wear eye protection and never have any part of the body over the firework.
• After lighting, get out of range and stay alert.
• Never re-light a "dud" firework. Wait 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water and dispose of it.
• If necessary, store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
• Avoid shooting fireworks in a large crowd, and make sure others are out of range. Never throw or point fireworks at other people.
• Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
• Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.

When attending public displays, remember these key safety measures:

1. Stay behind the safety barriers.
2. The best - and safest - view of fireworks is actually about a quarter of a mile or more from the firing site.
3. Young children can be sensitive to fireworks, and may become extremely frightened by the bangs and booms, so you may want to avoid taking them until they are several years older and can be prepared for the show. If you do, they will probably better enjoy fireworks displays for years to come.
4. Similarly, pets have very sensitive ears, and the loud explosions can be quite uncomfortable or even painful - particularly to dogs - so leave pets at home.

Remember, fireworks are not to be taken lightly, because they can cause serious injury and property damage. While some fireworks can be legally and safely ignited at home, public fireworks displays managed by professionals are the wisest way to celebrate the Independence Day holiday.

MCG Health, Inc. (d/b/a MCGHealth) is a not-for-profit corporation operating the MCGHealth Medical Center, MCGHealth Children’s Medical Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center, and related outpatient facilities and services throughout the state. For more information, please visit mcghealth.org.