The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that 8,800
people were treated for fireworks-related injuries in 2002. During the
past 10 years, about a third of the injuries associated with fireworks
have been caused by illegal explosives or homemade fireworks.
Check local laws. Make sure that fireworks are legal where you live.
If they are legal, know what kinds are legal and what kinds aren’t.
Don’t let small children play with fireworks or set them off. Adults
should either ignite the fireworks, or supervise older children who are
doing it.
Read the warnings, rules and instructions. Then, after you read them,
follow them to the letter.
Wear eye protection and keep all parts of your body out of the line of
fire.
Make sure the audience is out of range of misfired or misdirected
rockets and roman candles.
Set off the fireworks on a hard, flat surface away from anything
flammable.
Wait several minutes before walking up to a firework that didn’t go off.
Don’t try to relight duds or misfires. Soak them in water.
Have a bucket of water or a garden hose handy.
Buy fireworks from reliable retailers.
Never experiment with fireworks or try to make homemade ones.
Avoid storing fireworks for extended periods. If you must store them,
keep them in a cool, dry place.
When the show is over, soak the expended fireworks and dispose of them
in a trash container.
M-80s and “blockbusters” are not legal fireworks; they are dangerous,
banned explosives. They are extremely dangerous. Avoid anything that
isn’t clearly labeled with the name of the product, the manufacturer’s
name and instructions for proper use.
If you attend a professional display:
You don’t need to get close. The best view is from several hundreds
yards away.
If debris falls nearby, don’t touch it.
Leave pets at home. Dogs, in particular, can have their hearing damaged
by the explosions.