Fireworks should be left to the professionals

6/30/2020 (Permalink)

Firework complaints have gone up more than 500% in some communities. Let us all take a break from this year and find something else to do

Fireworks have been all over the news as of late in Massachusetts. There are a number or reasons for the news stories. Some have been to notify us of cancelled town 4^th of July events. Others have been to warn of their dangers due to buildings catching fire from a stray ember or rouge projectile. Yet one other news worth story is the fact the fireworks are illegal in this state for use by non-professional persons.

With so many of us home more and looking for things to do, many are turning to fireworks with NH being just such a short drive. We at SERVPRO of East Boston, Chelsea, Revere we urge you to refrain from using fireworks.

There are a lot of safety reasons to not use they. Personal safety is the key reason. One of our employees know someone who lost their hand to one a few years ago. Any firework injury could result in a hospital visit, which for an unavoidable issue during these novel times is not ideal.

Another reason to refrain from the use of fireworks is that many pets and people have PTSD and fear of the noise from it. Our friends family and especially our neighbors need our support more than ever. We may even see our neighbors more than we see our family these days. Trying to be mindful of everyone within the communities needs is more important than ever. The needs goes far beyond our desire for something to do here and there.

Our most cautionary reason for refraining from the fireworks is the damage to your home or someone else’s. Things are not what they normally are. Staying in a hotel while a home is fixed from the fire and water damage is not an easy decision or in many instances not an option. Having to leave your home or live in a partially ruined home for the sake of a firework is not an appealing thing to think about.

Below you will find an article from the National Safety Council that highlights some of the key points we have discussed more in depth. Let us all stay safe healthy and happy. This July 4^th holiday.

https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/tools-resources/seasonal-safety/summer/fireworks

Summer is synonymous with barbecues, parades and fireworks. The National Safety Council advises everyone to enjoy fireworks at public displays conducted by professionals, and not to use any fireworks at home. They may be legal but they are not safe.

In 2017, eight people died and over 12,000 were injured badly enough to require medical treatment after fireworks-related incidents. Of these, 50% of the injuries were to children and young adults under age 20. Over two-thirds (67%) of injuries took place from June 16 to July 16. And while the majority of these incidents were due to amateurs attempting to use professional-grade, homemade or other illegal fireworks or explosives, an estimated 1,200 injuries were from less powerful devices like small firecrackers and sparklers.

Additionally, fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires each year, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires and nearly 17,000 other fires.

If You Choose to Use Legal Fireworks

If consumer fireworks are legal to buy where you live and you choose to use them, be sure to follow the following safety tips:

• Never allow young children to handle fireworks
• Older children should use them only under close adult supervision
• Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol
• Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear
• Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands
• Never light them indoors
• Only use them away from people, houses and flammable material
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person
• Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting
• Never ignite devices in a container
• Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks
• Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding
• Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don't go off or in case of fire
• Never use illegal fireworksSparklers Are DangerousSparklers burn at about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals. Sparklers can quickly ignite clothing, and children have received severe burns from dropping sparklers on their feet. According to the National Fire Protection Association, sparklers alone account for more than 25% of emergency room visits for fireworks injuries. For children under 5 years of age, sparklers accounted for nearly half of the total estimated injuries.  
• Consider using safer alternatives, such as glow sticks, confetti poppers or colored streamers.
• Every year, young children can be found along parade routes and at festivals with sparklers in hand, but sparklers are a lot more dangerous than most people think.
• Better yet, grab a blanket and a patch of lawn, kick back and let the experts handle the fireworks show.

Photo Credit WCVB Channel 5