Celebrate Safely with Fireworks this 4th of July

Fireworks are synonymous with the 4th of July and many will be celebrating the country’s birthday with them.  However, an estimated 15,600 firework-related injuries occurred in 2020 and more than 2,000 emergency department-treated injuries were the result of small fireworks, such as sparklers and firecrackers.  Rabun County Assistant Fire Chief Justin Upchurch offers these safety tips if you plan to celebrate the 4th of July with fireworks.  “We encourage everybody to have a good time over the 4th of July weekend but you always have to be safe and we don’t want anybody hurt or worse.  Some statistics about fireworks, they start an average of 18,500 fires per year including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and 16,900 outside and other fires.  These fires cause an average of 3 deaths, 40 civilian injuries, and $43 million in direct property damage in the U.S. every year.  One thing that seems very harmless but can actually be of cause for concern with injuries is the sparklers.  The tips of sparklers can get up to 1200 degrees, so we need to be very careful when we are letting children play with sparklers.  Sparklers actually account for one-quarter of firework injuries every year.  Never allow children to handle or ignite fireworks.  Don’t wear loose clothing while using fireworks.  Never light them indoors or near dry grass.  Point the fireworks away from homes, brush, leaves, and flammable substances.  Be sure other people are out of range before igniting the fireworks.  In case something happens and the device doesn’t go off, don’t stand over it to investigate it, pour water over it, and then dispose of it.  Always have a bucket of water or fire extinguisher nearby.  Of course, if someone is injured or anything happens with a fire, call 911.”  Please follow this safety advice about fireworks from the Rabun County Fire Department and have a safe 4th of July.