Check out these safety reminders for the Fourth of July
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Not to be a wet blanket on anyone’s Fourth of July festivities, but accidents do happen — especially when children, matches and fireworks are in the mix.
Here are a few reminders on how to stay safe — and what to do if an accident does happen.
That said, have a safe and happy Independence Day weekend:
Fireworks safety
An average of 152 fireworks-related injuries occur every year in Nebraska. Two-thirds involve children and young adults. The age group in which injuries are the most common — 15- to 19-year-olds.
However, children age 5 and under are at the highest risk for sparkler-related injuries.
Experts say the best fireworks experience — and the safest — is one put on by professionals.
But the reality is lots of people enjoy lighting their own.
When using fireworks:
* Have an adult present.
* Always read and follow label directions.
* Buy from reliable sellers. Stay away from illegal or homemade fireworks, which can be deadly.
* Use fireworks only as intended. Do not try to alter them or combine them.
*Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.
* Light only one fireworks item at a time.
* Never throw or point fireworks at other people. Aim fireworks away from buildings and spectators.
* Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
* Have a garden hose and bucket filled with water handy in case of malfunction or fire.
*Never shoot fireworks off in metal or glass containers.
* Light fireworks only on a smooth, flat surface away from houses, dry leaves and flammable materials.
* Never relight dud fireworks (wait 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water).
* Fireworks shooters should wear safety glasses. Spectators should keep a safe distance from the shooter.
*Keep pets indoors. Their hearing is extremely sensitive to the thunderous sounds of fireworks. They could easily sprint free and become wounded or lost.
* Dispose of fireworks properly by soaking them in water before putting them in the trash.
Tips for sparklers
Sparklers can burn at temperatures higher than 1,000 degrees — and remain hot after the last sparkle has sizzled.
* Do not allow young children to use sparklers. Experts recommend sparklers be used only by children over 12.
* Always remain standing while using sparklers.
* Never hold a child in your arms while using sparklers.
* Never hold, or light, more than one sparkler at a time.
*Always wear closed-toe shoes when using sparklers.
* Sparkler wires and sticks remain hot long after the flame has gone out. Be sure to drop the spent sparklers directly in a bucket of water.
* Never hand a lighted sparkler to another person. Give them an unlit sparkler and then light it.
* Always stand at least six feet away from another person while using sparklers.
* Never throw sparklers.
* Show children how to hold sparklers away from their body and at arm’s length.
* Teach children not to wave sparklers, especially wooden stick sparklers, or run while holding them.
Cookin’ on the grill
* Designate the grilling area as a “kid-free zone” for the duration of the barbecue.
* Keep grills at least three feet away from other objects, including the house and any shrubs or bushes.
*Use only commercial starting fluid to light charcoal. Never use gasoline or other flammable liquids.
*Never add starter fluid to hot coals. They could catch fire and explode.
* Before using a gas grill, check the connection between the propane tank and the fuel line.
* Check for gas leaks, following the manufacturer’s instructions, when reconnecting the grill to the propane tank or if you smell gas.
*Never use a match to check for leaks. If you detect a leak, immediately turn off the gas and don’t attempt to light the grill again until the leak is fixed.
* Do not wear loose-fitting clothing. Tie or pin up long hair.
* Keep children and pets away from the grill area until it is completely cool.
* Thoroughly extinguish hot coals before disposing of them.
In case of burns:
Generally, minor burns smaller than a person’s palm can be treated at home. But burns bigger than that, and burns on the hands, feet, face, genitals and major joints, usually require emergency treatment. Any burns to the face or eyes should be treated immediately in the emergency department.
For a minor burn:
— Run cool water over it and cover it with a clean, dry cloth.
— Do not apply ice, which can worsen a burn.
— Do not apply petroleum jelly or butter, which can hold heat in the tissue.
— Keep the wounded area clean.
— Keep wounds covered with cool compresses during the initial burn phases of 12 to 36 hours. After that, temperature is irrelevant.
— Do not cover burns with a fluffy cloth, such as a towel or blanket.
— Elevate wounded areas to reduce swelling and to stimulate the healing process.
— Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol).
— If the pain does not subside, or if blisters develop, seek immediate care.
— Never burst blisters, which may cause infection because they act as natural dressings that help heal wounds. Rather, allow blisters to open naturally, and then apply antibiotic creams.
— Consult your family doctor if a minor burn does not heal in a couple of days or if there are signs of infection, such as redness and swelling.
— Avoid sun exposure, which enhances scarring, while burns are healing or blisters are present. After the wounds have healed, always wear maximum sun-block protection over scars during sun exposure to minimize skin damage.
— Once blisters disappear, use over-the-counter creams high in aloe, which are very soothing. The creams also can be used for first-degree burns, such as sunburns.
Treating major burns:
Major burns require a specialist’s care because often they penetrate several layers of skin, damaging tendons and muscles.
— Only during the first 12 to 36 hours, cool wounds by putting them under running water and/or immersing them in ice water. Keep wounds cool while waiting for medical attention.
— If burns cover large areas of skin, don’t cool the entire body because the core body temperature will drop too low. Use cool compresses only on wounds.
— Before reaching medical help, wrap wounds in clean towels or sheets and keep them elevated.
— Keep extremities elevated to keep blood from pooling and reduce swelling. The more swollen the wounds are the more painful they can be. Swelling also delays healing.
Sources: Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and Nebraska Safe Kids, www.hhss.ne.gov/hpe/safekids.htm or www.safekids.org; Consumer Product Safety Commission; Children’s Hospital in Omaha; National Council on Fireworks Safety; Aurorahealthcare.org; and Parkway Regional Medical Center, North Miami Beach, Fla.
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