Fireworks Safety

Monday was the 4th of July, our Independence Day.

Besides celebrating our freedom, the big goal is to make sure on one gets hurt and that means firework safety. Now remember, fireworks are illegal in many areas.

If you can use them, you need to follow some simple precautions. First, never let small children hold or light fireworks, even if they beg, it's just a set up for disaster. Before starting to light up, make sure you have a water source nearby. A garden hose or a bucket of water to put out any accidental fires.

Now, when you're lighting a firework, make sure you point them away from everyone. Also, don't shoot them from metal or glass containers, because if they break, the flying pieces could hurt someone.

If you end up with a dud, leave it alone for 15 or 20 minutes. Then soak it in a bucket of water.

Believe it or not, a large percentage of fireworks burns, especially for children, are on your feet, so have everyone wear shoes, not just flip flops.

If an accident happens, and someone gets hurt, there are a few things you need to know. If it's a minor burn, like a sunburn or less, use cold water soaked cloths to cool off the area. Once it's cooled, keep it clean and dry for a couple of days. If the burn is worse than that, use cold water soaked cloths to cool off the burn then go to the emergency room or doctor. Never put anything other than cold water on the burned skin.