Safety First

Remember fireworks can kill...

Cinco de Mayo brings with it fun, frolic and fireworks. Old and young alike love and enjoy the splendour and sparkle of fireworks. They lend a distinct colourful and glittering aura to the celebrations. But remember that the pleasure of light and sound is enjoyed by all but when disaster strikes it is the injured who has to bear the cross. By taking simple precautions we can ensure that we do not become a statistic by falling prey to the perils of fireworks. It is certainly not difficult. All mishaps due to fireworks occur as a result of carelessness, negligence and ignorance. Simple steps can help avoid these mishaps. To help you celebrate safely, Festive Fever offers the following safety tips:

Common fireworks are explosives  and must be handled with care and respect to prevent injury and property damage. Each year people suffer burns, loss of eyesight, burst eardrums and other injuries, and property is damaged because of fireworks. So, the first thing you should do is to check out with the fire department if the fireworks are legal in your community. If yes, know the rules to be followed.

Here are certain do's and don'ts:

The Do's

• Store your fireworks safely: in a closed metal box, somewhere cool and dry, out of reach of children.

• Store them away from all sources of heat, until the time they're needed. Don't keep the box under the stairs or in a passage way.

• Pets hate bangs and flashes and get very frightened on fireworks night, so keep all your pets indoors and close all the curtains to make things calmer for them.

• Have a full bucket of water handy for any emergency, and for putting used sparklers into.

• If you have the chance to get together with some other families, try to go to the home with the biggest open space and safest surroundings.

• Have an adult supervise the use of all fireworks. Keep children well away from fireworks, and never let a child handle or light one. Even sparklers can be dangerous if unsupervised! Make sure that children are aware of the dangers.

• Always read and follow label directions.

• Buy from reliable sellers.

• Use outdoors only.

• Make sure to have all flammable and combustible materials removed from the area of shooting and landing.

• Always have water handy (a garden hose and a bucket).

• Light only one firework at a time.

• Use a "punk", instead of the lighters and matches, for a safer ignition.

• If necessary, store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
  And, away from any source of fire.

• Soak the burnt out fireworks in water and dispose of them in a trashcan.

• Make sure to wear eye protection while shooting.

• Stay away from illegal explosives.

The Don'ts:

• Things you definitely don't do! Never try to re-ignite the fireworks that don't light in the first instance.

• Never give ANY firework items to small children. Never throw fireworks at another person.

• Never carry fireworks in your pocket. Never shoot fireworks from metal or glass containers.

• Never experiment, modify, or attempt to make your own fireworks.

• Watch what you wear: Loose clothing can very easily catch fire, and should not be worn near any fire or fireworks. Long dangly scarves can be risky too.

• One at a time please: Let the fireworks off one at a time and don't rush.

• Don't allow anyone else - especially children - to do so.

• Light the tip of each firework at arm's length, using a candle. Stand well back immediately. If one doesn't go off, don't go back to it - it could still be live, and could go off unexpectedly in your face.

• At the end of your fireworks celebrations, douse the 'duds' with lots of water, keep it soaking in a bucket of water. Never throw left over fireworks onto a bonfire.

• Never try illegal explosives.

• Never experiment or make your own fireworks.

• Never give fireworks to small children (below 12).

• Never throw or point fireworks at other people.

• Never re-light a "dud" firework (wait 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in water).

• Never have any part of the body over the firework.

• Never ignite aerial fireworks near, or, below a tree, overhead wires, or anything that may obstruct the flight.

• Never ignite aerial fireworks near an opening, e.g. a door, a window.

• Don't light flying fireworks if there is a heavy wind. 

• Never take unnecessary risks while lighting fireworks, just to show off. 

• Drinking can pose an added danger when there are fireworks and bonfires around.  So don't drink during while you light fireworks.

• The best and safest option would be to pool the money that you intend spending on fireworks and have a professional perform pyro-technics for the benefit of many.

Different fireworks mean different hazards: Read the instructions on each one carefully (by flashlight, never an open flame) and follow them properly. Sparklers need careful handling - light them one at a time at arm's length; make sure that anyone holding a sparkler wears gloves; and put each spent one into a bucket of water as soon as it is gone out. Fireworks are dangerous, so do not fool around with them: Putting fireworks in your pocket is stupid and dangerous. Throwing fireworks at people is dangerous and illegal.

So whenever and wherever possible try to attend public fireworks displays. For, the shows are safer and are meant for better displays than what might be achieved at your home. However, if you must use fireworks, be sure to follow the safety tips outlined above Wish you a happy and safe Cinco de Mayo.