Firework Safety

6/23/2020 (Permalink)

Fireworks may look pretty and are fun to set off, but they can prove to be a real danger to your family, your home, and others around you. Whatever the situation may be, be sure to practice the utmost safety when handling fireworks. When misused, they may cause injury, fire damage, or wildfires. Be sure to check if consumer fireworks are legal in your area. Here are some tips on how to be safe around fireworks during the holiday season from your friends here at SERVPRO of North Nashville! 

• Do not let children and young teenagers light or operate the fireworks. Children should not be handling fireworks and should be under strict supervision. Make sure the person who is setting them off is a responsible adult who has not been drinking prior. It is also recommended that the person using the fireworks wears safety glasses.
• Before using the fireworks, read all safety and warning labels. Do not use fireworks that do not have warning labels or fireworks that have been bought illegally. If it is an outdoor celebration, only purchase and use consumer fireworks from a licensed dealer. 
• When you buy fireworks illegally, it can often lead to unexpected explosions. Do not use any fireworks for any purpose besides what they were made for, and do not combine multiple fireworks and light them off as one. It is illegal to make your own fireworks, and building your own can be incredibly dangerous. As mentioned previously, follow local and state laws and regulations.
• Keep water close at hand, whether it be a hose or a bucket of water. This will be used to put out stray flames or sparks. Pour water onto any area that was used when lighting your fireworks. If you have any unused fireworks, do not throw them in the garbage, but instead, check your area’s local waste management system for proper removal so as to avoid any unwanted trash fires and the resulting fire damage.
• When actually lighting the firework, make sure it is on level, solid ground where it cannot tip over. It is also advisable to use a multipurpose lighter instead of matches. Be sure to not have your hands and face directly over the firework when lighting it and do not attempt to light again if it does not go off.
• Be wary of your surroundings by planning where people will be spectating and which direction the fireworks will be fired. Do not buy fireworks that are too large for the area you are lighting them in, and be sure that the spectators are a safe distance away. Never light fireworks indoors or near combustible materials and set them off away from buildings and onlookers to minimize the possibility of fire damage to your property.
• Be prepared just in case of an emergency where an injury occurs. Be familiar with first-aid information and call emergency services when needed.

You must always prioritize your safety and the safety of others before using fireworks. If you are in an area where you do not have enough space to use them, it is advisable to not buy them. However, if you are in a situation where fireworks do cause fire damage, do not hesitate to reach out to professionals to help restore your home building. Here at SERVPRO of North Nashville, we are experts in fire damage repair and restoration, and we are always willing to help!