PHOTO: Courtesy of WLUK
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The Oshkosh Fire and Police Departments would like to remind you to play it safe with fireworks this Independence Day.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) there has been a 25% increase in firework related injuries over the past 15 years.
According to the CPSC, in 2021 there were 11,500 emergency room-treated injuries and nine deaths involving fireworks in the U.S. Most of the deaths were due to firework misuse. Young adults, age 20-24, had the highest rate of injury.
Besides injuries, fireworks were responsible for an average of 19,000 fires annually according to the Nation Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
To avoid becoming one of these statistics, only go to a public display put on by experts and avoid using fireworks at home.
However, if you must use fireworks at home, please keep these safety tips in mind:
- Use only legal fireworks. In Wisconsin any firework that leaves the ground or explodes is illegal (e.g., firecrackers and bottle rockets). Please note: the “permits” that can be purchased at some local firework stands are not valid in the city of Oshkosh. No one is allowed to use illegal fireworks. In Oshkosh the fine for doing so is $232.
- Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of a fire or other mishap. Place spent fireworks in the bucket of water or completely douse them with the hose before disposing to prevent trash fires.
- Adults should always supervise fireworks activities.
- Never allow young children to light them.
- Sparklers, while usually thought of as a child’s firework, can be extremely dangerous. Parents need to realize that there are many injuries from sparklers to children. In fact, last year there were 1,100 injuries caused by sparklers that were serious enough to require a trip to emergency departments. They burn at over 2,000 degrees–hot enough to melt some metals–and stay hot long after they’re done sparking.
- Never light any fireworks inside of a building.
- Never have any portion of your body directly over a firework when lighting the fuse. Move back to a safe distance immediately after lighting.
- Never point or throw fireworks at another person or up in the air.
- Never try to re-light fireworks that have malfunctioned. Douse them with water and dispose of them properly.
- Never use fireworks when you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Also, please remember to be considerate to the other people and pets in your neighborhood.
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