Fireworks: How to Stay Safe this Summer

Scartelli Olszewski P.C.

Summer is here! Which means lots of food, fun, and fireworks. But every year, thousands of people are injured when they set off fireworks—turning a celebration into a life-changing tragedy. Despite the dangers fireworks pose, few people actually grasp the associated risks such as fires and burns, other serious bodily injuries, or even death. It’s important to always keep firework safety in mind while celebrating.Here’s a look at some statistics: according to the National Council on Fireworks Safety, more than 10,000 people each year are severely injured by fireworks. Although some of those incidents were due to attempting to use professional-grade, homemade, or other illegal fireworks, almost half of those injuries were experienced by children 14 years or younger from less powerful fireworks and sparklers. But these accidents are avoidable with the proper precautions and firework safety knowledge. So how do you keep yourself, and your family, safe? Here’s what experts have to say: