Are You Gearing Up for Fireworks To Celebrate the 4th of July in Boise, Idaho?
While they are visually stunning, fireworks can also pose significant risks if not handled properly. Before the festivities begin, knowing how to avoid a hand injury when using fireworks is necessary. You can ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for you and your loved ones with the proper safety tips and precautions.
Discover how to enjoy fireworks safely without hand injuries!
Safety Tips to Avoid Hand Injuries When Handling Fireworks
Fireworks are a staple of celebrations and special occasions, and they come in various types, including rockets, firecrackers, sparklers, and Roman candles. Each type presents unique risks, especially when mishandled.
Fireworks-related hand injuries can be devastating and often require immediate medical attention. These hand injuries may include burns or traumatic amputations. Follow the below safety tips to protect yourself and others from firework injuries:
Wear Protective Gloves
Protective gloves like hand and eye protection gloves act as a buffer, shielding the hands and eyes from the intense heat generated by the fireworks and preventing direct contact with explosive materials.
Gloves also provide additional grip, ensuring a more secure hold on the fireworks, reducing the chances of them slipping. It greatly minimizes the risk of burn injuries, allowing you and your loved ones to enjoy the celebratory fireworks display safely.
During the summer months, emergency departments in Boise, Idaho, often witness a significant increase in burns and hand injuries, particularly around the 4th of July.
The Boise Fire Department reported that crews responded to 117 emergency calls on 4th July, 2023 (until 8 am 5th July). That’s up from 99 calls in 2022. [1]
Keep a Safe Distance
When it comes to using fireworks, always maintain a safe distance. By maintaining a safe distance, you can provide yourselves and others with greater protection from potential accidents.
The explosive nature of fireworks means that malfunctions or miscalculations can happen, and the fallout can be disastrous. Being too close to a firework when it detonates increases the risk of being hit by shrapnel, burnt by the intense heat, or even knocked off balance, leading to falls and other accidents.
Keep a Bucket of Water
Keep a garden hose or a bucket of water in nearby areas to avoid injuries. The presence of a bucket of water serves as a preventive tool to extinguish any potential fires that may arise from mishandling fireworks.
In the unfortunate event of a fire breaking out, quick access to water allows swift action to douse the flames and prevent them from spreading or causing further damage.
Moreover, dip the used sparklers or other ignited fireworks in the water bucket. It helps ensure that the used fireworks are fully extinguished and cooled down, reducing the risk of accidental fires or burns.
Do Not Hold Lit Fireworks in Your Hand
Holding a lit firework in your hand is an unwise idea as it could go off earlier than expected. The explosive force can cause severe trauma to the hands, resulting in shattered bones, loss of fingers, or even complete amputation.
To ensure personal safety, use alternative methods for safely enjoying fireworks, like enjoying public fireworks displays, using confetti poppers, glow sticks, colored streamers or sparklers. If you are going to light your own fireworks, do not hold them in your hands if you value your hands.
Properly Secure Fireworks Before Lighting
Before lighting fireworks, properly secure them. The first step in properly securing fireworks is to find a suitable location for your detonation. It should be an open area, away from flammable materials such as buildings, dry grass, or trees.
The next step is to secure fireworks on a flat and stable surface, such as a concrete or paved area. All fireworks should be properly connected to a stable platform or launch tube.
This will prevent them from shooting off in unpredictable directions, minimizing the risk of injuries or property damage. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when connecting fireworks to a launch tube or supporting structure.
Avoid Homemade Fireworks
The production of consumer fireworks involves many volatile chemicals that can easily lead to accidents. The lack of regulations and safety measures in their manufacturing process significantly increases the likelihood of mishaps. One wrong move or miscalculation can lead to devastating consequences such as severe burns, damage to property, or loss of life.
Handling Unused Fireworks Safely
Handling unused fireworks safely prevents accidents and ensures everyone’s safety. There are a few precautions to take to minimize the risk:
- Store fireworks properly
- Avoid tampering
- Keep away from flammable materials
- Keep in original packaging
Dispose of Used Fireworks Properly
When it comes to disposing of used fireworks, safety should always be the top priority. To render the fireworks inactive, soak them in a bucket of water for sufficient time. It will ensure that any residual explosive materials are deactivated. Never try to re-light a “dud” firework and dispose of other firework debris properly.
Follow Local Rules and Regulations
Boise, Idaho, has specific rules and regulations for fireworks usage. Aerial fireworks, including bottle rockets, skyrockets, Roman candles, and firecrackers, are illegal in Boise. While these fireworks can be legally purchased in the state, they are prohibited from being used within Boise city limits. [2]
Fireworks sales are permitted from midnight on 23rd June to midnight on 5th July and from midnight on 26th December to midnight on 1st January. Authorized use times vary throughout the year, so checking local ordinances for permitted dates is essential. [2]
What to Do in Case of a Firework-Related Injury
In the event of a fireworks-related injury, take immediate action to ensure safety and proper medical care.
- Seek Medical Attention: If fireworks injure someone, call 911 or assist them to the nearest hospital emergency department for medical treatment.
- Care for the Injury: If it’s safe, administer basic first aid while waiting for medical help. It may include applying gentle pressure to stop bleeding, covering burns with cool, damp cloths, and avoiding further damage to the affected area. Take extra care if there are eye injuries.
- Report the Incident: Contact local authorities to report the injury, especially if it involves illegal or unsafe fireworks. It can help prevent future incidents and ensure proper investigation.
- Document the Details: Record information about the injury, including the circumstances, the type of fireworks involved, and any witnesses. It may be helpful for insurance claims or legal purposes.
- Follow Medical Advice: After receiving treatment, follow the medical advice healthcare professionals provide to promote healing and prevent complications.
- Consult Legal Advice: If the injury was caused by negligence or a defective firework, consider consulting a legal professional specializing in personal injury cases in Boise for guidance on potential legal recourse.
Contact Goldberg & Loren to protect your rights and hold those responsible for your firework injuries accountable.
Source:
[1] Staff, K. (2023, July 6). Increase in number of responses from Boise firefighters during 2023 July 4 festivities. Idaho News 6 Boise Twin Falls (KIVI). https://www.kivitv.com/news/increasing-number-of-responses-required-from-boise-firefighters-during-2023-july-4-festivities
