A reminder about fireworks safety from HSHS Hospitals in northeast Wisconsin communities.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports on average, 180 people go to the emergency room daily with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the 4th of July holiday.
In a news release, emergency experts at HSHS-affiliated St. Vincent Hospital and St. Mary’s Medical Center in Green Bay, St. Nicholas in Sheboygan, and St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls advise that you should leave fireworks use to those specially trained and certified.
If you decide to use them, they encourage you to follow some safety tips, including:
- Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying them or setting them off.
- Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees. As a safe alternative, use glow sticks.
- Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from houses & flammable materials.
- And, keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishaps.
