Fireworks are a common celebratory staple during several holidays around the world. The big one in the United States is, of course, Independence Day (or the 4th of July). In fact, about 2 in 5 fires started by fireworks are reported on July 4 each year.
Fireworks cause an average of 18,500 fires every year, which leads to property damage, injuries, and even a few fatalities. In 2015, nearly 12,000 injuries were treated in emergency rooms because of fireworks. Who knew celebrating holidays could become so dangerous?
The Dangers of Fireworks
Download this infographic from the National Fire Protection Association today and share it with your employees. Being informed is the first step toward making safer choices.
Did You Know?
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Males account for 74% of fireworks-related injuries.
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Adults ages 25-44 are injured by fireworks more than twice as often as any other age group.
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Sparklers alone account for more than one-quarter of emergency room fireworks injuries.
Why is This Important for Employers?
What your employees do at home is their business, right? To an extent, yes. Employees’ personal activities should be private affairs, but what if those activities are leading to injuries or worse? Your employees simply cannot perform their jobs to their full potential if they’ve sustained injuries or losses that might be distractions at work.
You should care about your employees’ home safety so that they can arrive at work happy, healthy, and engaged with the task at hand. You can start by educating them on the dangers of fireworks and some tips to keep everyone safe on their time off.
13 Firework Home Safety Tips
Share these quick tips with your employees this holiday season so they can reduce the likelihood of fireworks-related injuries at their homes.
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Obey all local laws regarding fireworks.
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Read all labels and instructions before use.
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Wear safety glasses.
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Never drink alcohol while working with fireworks.
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Ensure that all firework activity is supervised by a responsible adult.
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Keep a water hose and a bucket of water nearby.
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Ignite one at a time, and move away as quickly as possible.
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Soak spent and “dud” fireworks in water after use.
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Do not give any type of fireworks to children.
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Never use fireworks indoors.
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Never ignite homemade or altered fireworks.
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Avoid fireworks that are meant for professional displays. These are usually packaged in brown paper.
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Enjoy professional, public displays to avoid home safety hazards.
Americans spend roughly $1 billion annually on fireworks (source). Why? Because we love them! They’re beautiful, exciting, and a rare treat for many. We want to keep the fun and excitement while minimizing the hazards. Share these firework home safety tips to keep the holiday fun and injury-free!
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