Fourth of July Safety tips for fireworks use

With Fourth of July celebrations approaching, the Henry and Stark County Health Departments and First Choice Healthcare are urging families to put safety first. June is Fireworks Safety Month, and officials say misuse of fireworks causes nearly 10,000 injuries each year, most of which occur around Independence Day. Hands, fingers, and eyes are most often hurt, and children under 15 are at greatest risk.

Health officials remind adults to closely supervise all fireworks, including sparklers, which burn hot enough to ignite clothing. Fireworks should be used outdoors, one at a time, away from homes and dry grass. Never relight a dud, and always check local laws before use. More safety information is available at henrystarkhealth.com and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Here are some other firework safety facts:

• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Firework directions and warning labels should be read and heeded.
• Fireworks should be ignited only outdoors – away from houses, dry grass and bushes and other flammable materials.
• Fireworks should be lit one-at-a-time after everyone is out of the way.  They should never be lit in metal or glass containers.
• Malfunctioning fireworks should not be relit or handled.
• Never experiment with fireworks, or mix anything with their contents.
• Fireworks should always be stored in a cool, dry place.
• And finally, make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.