Sarasota County reminds community to practice sparkler safety on Fourth of July
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Sparklers are approved by the Division of State Fire Marshal’s office and are legal.
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SARASOTA COUNTY – Every year people are taken to hospital emergency rooms in the United States because of injuries from fireworks. So what can you do to enjoy the Fourth of July and still stay safe?
Examples of fireworks that would be considered illegal include firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, and roman candles. “Sparklers” as approved by the Division of the State Fire Marshal’s office are legal and include snake or glow worms, trick noisemakers, party poppers, snappers and sparklers.
The risk of fireworks injury was highest for children ages 5-19 and adults 25-44, with one-quarter (26 percent) of the victims of fireworks injuries in 2013 under age 15. Children have the highest relative risk of injury; there are no adult age groups with comparable risk. In 2013, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 11,400 people for fireworks related injuries; 55% of 2014 emergency room fireworks-related injuries were to the extremities and 38% were to the head.
Using sparklers on our nation’s birthday is as traditional as cookouts and swimming. Sarasota County Fire Marshal John Reed offers these safety tips when handling sparklers by following these common sense rules:
- Children should not use sparklers without very close adult supervision.
- 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.
- Sparklers and bare feet can be a painful combination. Always wear closed-toe shoes when using sparklers.
- Sparkler wire and stick remain hot long after the flame has gone out. Be sure to drop the spent sparklers directly in a bucket of water.
- Never hand over a lighted sparkler to another person. Give them the unlit sparkler and then light it.
- Do not throw sparklers.
- Never use sparklers indoors or near vehicles.
