Families and friends often get together during the summer months to celebrate holidays with fireworks, picnics and games.    The FDBD is always dispatched to accidents due to firework-related injuries, such as burns and injuries to the eyes.    These injuries can arise when you are not properly prepared or do not take proper precautions when lighting fireworks.    The FDBD asks that you and your families follow the following tips to ensure your summer holidays are fun and safe.

• Make sure the fireworks you purchase are appropriate for the age group who will be lighting and/or viewing them.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose readily accessible in case of fire or other mishap.
• Soak fireworks in a bucket of water before throwing into the trash can.
• Never try to relight or pick up fireworks that have not fully ignited.
• Adult supervision is needed with fireworks.    Handheld fireworks like sprinklers and whirling fireworks are a leading cause of fireworks injuries to young children.
• Light one firework at a time and immediately back away.    Ensure that everyone is out of the way of moving or whirling fireworks.
• Alcohol use contributes to many firework accidents largely due to individuals not focusing on the safety of bystanders.    Individuals who have had too much to drink should let a sober adult handle the fireworks to ensure the safety of everyone viewing them.
• Teach children to never place fireworks like cherry bombs, firecrackers, etc. where they would explode on someone, such as a car or door handle, cooler, or other place where fingers, hands and faces might be injured.
• Remember to retrieve the lighting mechanism (lighter, match, etc.) from children who may use them to light fireworks.