5 Ways To Have A Safe 4th Of July

It's time to show your stars and stripes, not scrapes and burns

It's that time of year to show your stars and stripes, but keep in mind that patriotism often comes with plenty of scrapes and burns.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 17,800 fires were caused by fireworks in 2011 and in 2012 hospital emergency rooms saw 8,700 people for fireworks related injuries.

Make sure you and your family have and incident free 4th of July this year by following some suggestions from real moms.

The safest option is to always leave it to the pros.

The NFPA states that the greatest at risk for injuries related to fireworks are children and adults ages 15-24, followed by kids 10 and under. So it may be a better option to opt for a professional fireworks display instead of setting them off at home, and stay at a safe distance. Keep a sharp eye out for any leftover fireworks that fall, which can still ignite unexpectedly.

Stick To The Law

Don't provoke the police. If fireworks are legal in your state, stick to the legal ones. If they are not legal, don’t bother! It’s not worth possible injury AND getting a violation.

Keep Water Nearby

Have water (hose and bucket) nearby and ready. Soak all duds (do not try to relight) and spent fireworks in water before discarding. For duds, wait 20 minutes before putting in water.

Allow One Firework At A Time

Never hold fireworks in your hand when lighting, and do not keep additional fireworks in your pockets to avoid accidental ignition.

Don’t Light Fireworks In Groups

The safest way to light fireworks is clear of other people. Fireworks can shoot in an unintended direction or backfire, so keep your eye out for maintaining safe distances!