Warning! Dangers With Fireworks!

National Fire Protection Association Press Release:

Use of consumer fireworks dramatically increases risk of fire and injury. National health and safety advocates team up to warn of dangers

Click to Tweet: Each July 4th, thousands of people, most often kids & teens, are injured while using consumer fireworks http://ow.ly/bIyi9 #FireworkSafety

(via NFPA) Just in time for Fourth of July, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) released its Fireworks report which explores fire and injury dangers related to consumer fireworks. The report shows that in 2010 alone, an estimated 15,500 reported fires were started by fireworks and 8,600 fireworks-related injuries were treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms.  It also shows that there are more fires on a typical Fourth of July than any other day of the year. Fireworks account for two out of five of those fires, more than any other cause of fires.

“Thousands of people are treated in U.S. emergency rooms each year because of incidents involving consumer fireworks and many times these injuries are extremely painful and require long-term recovery – using consumer fireworks is simply not worth the risk,” said James Shannon, president of NFPA. “We encourage families to enjoy public displays of fireworks conducted by trained professionals.”

The Fireworks report outlines specific statistics regarding how the use of consumer fireworks relates to fire danger including:

• In 2010, fireworks caused an estimated 15,500 reported fires, including 1,100 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and 14,100 outside and other fires.
• These fires resulted in an estimated eight reported deaths, 60 civilian injuries and $36 million in direct property damage.

The report demonstrates using consumer fireworks heightens the risk of injury and even death. The study showed:

• The risk of fireworks injury was highest for children ages 5-14 with more than twice the risk for the general population.
• Sparklers and novelties alone accounted for 38 percent of the 8,600 emergency room fireworks injuries in 2010.

With the Fireworks report’s findings in mind, NFPA along with the American Academy of Pediatrics, founded the Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks to warn individuals about the dangers of consumer fireworks.The Alliance is a group of health and safety organizations that urges the public to avoid the use of consumer fireworks and instead, to enjoy displays of fireworks conducted by trained professionals.











View the full Fireworks report and more information about NFPA and firework safety.

About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)NFPA is a worldwide leader in fire, electrical, building, and life safety. The mission of the international nonprofit organization founded in 1896 is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.



(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

 

Being Fire Safe on Independence Day!

U.S. Fire Administration Press Release:

The U.S. Fire Administration and Safe Kids USA Encourage Everyone to Practice Fire Safety During Independence Day Celebrations

EMMITSBURG, MD – The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and Safe Kids USA are encouraging families and individuals to prepare for a safe and memorable Fourth of July by practicing safe grilling and leaving the fireworks to the professionals.

“Independence Day is a major highlight of the summer and for many people there’s a lot of excitement around setting off colorful fireworks and starting up the grill,” said Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator Glenn Gaines. Meri-K Appy, President, Safe Kids USA joins Deputy Administrator Gaines in urging all Americans to have a fun and safe weekend. “We are reminding everyone of simple steps they can take to protect their children who are most vulnerable to fire-related burns, injuries, and deaths,” says Appy.

Fireworks

Many children and adults are fascinated by fireworks, but they can be extremely dangerous. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) annual death and injury report (PDF, 325 Kb) on fireworks, approximately 40 percent of fireworks injuries occur to children younger than 15 years of age. In addition, CPSC received reports of three fatalities related to fireworks in 2010.

The best way to protect your family and friends is not to use any fireworks at home. Attend public fireworks displays and leave the lighting to the professionals.

Fireworks Fire Safety Tips

• Sparklers are not toys. They can reach 2,000^o Fahrenheit--hot enough to melt some metals.
• Leave pieces of fireworks on the ground after an event. Some may still be ignited and can explode.
• Stand several feet away from the professionals lighting fireworks; fireworks have been known to backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction.

For more information, please visit the USFA’s Focus on Fire Safety: Fireworks webpage and Safe Kids USA at www.safekids.org.

Grilling

Every Fourth of July Americans look forward to picnics, camping, and other outdoor activities. The holiday, however, also brings fires and injuries due to outdoor cooking. By taking a few fire safety precautions, you can ensure that everyone enjoys a safe Independence Day.

Grilling Fire Safety Tips

• Propane and charcoal BBQ grills must only be used outdoors. If used indoors, or in any enclosed spaces such as tents, they pose a fire hazard and a risk of exposing occupants to deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Place the grill a safe distance from lawn games, play areas, and foot traffic. Grills should be positioned at least 10 feet away from siding, deck railing, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Keep, matches, lighters, and starter fluid out of the reach of children in a locked drawer or cabinet .
• Keep children and pets away from the grill area: declare a three-foot "kid-free zone" around the grill.
• Use long barbeque mitts and long-handled grilling tools to protect the chef from heat and flames when cooking.
• Periodically remove grease or fat buildup in trays below the grill so it cannot be ignited by a hot grill.

For more information, please visit Safe Kids USA at www.safekids.org and the USFA’s Focus on Fire Safety: Summer Fire Safety webpage.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

National health and safety advocates warn against consumer fireworks

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and its Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks hosted a press conference on, June 30, 2010, with the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal’s office to warn against the use of consumer fireworks. “Every year fire departments and emergency rooms across the country must respond to the devastating consequences of consumer fireworks,” said James M. Shannon, president of NFPA. “There is no safe way to use consumer fireworks. To prevent injuries and fires, we urge people to attend public fireworks displays put on by trained professionals.”

NEW! See slideshow of images and video from the NFPA press conference to warm against the use of consumer fireworks.

According to a newly released NFPA report, in 2008 fireworks caused an estimated 22,500 reported fires, including 1,400 total structure fires, 500 vehicle fires, and 20,600 outdoor and other fires. These fires resulted in an estimated $42 million in direct property damage.

On Independence Day in a typical year, more U.S. fires are reported than on any other day, and fireworks account for half of those fires, more than any other cause of fires.

“Parents underestimate how dangerous fireworks can be. Fireworks send 3,000 children under 15 to emergency rooms each year in the U.S. and nearly half of fireworks victims are under the age of 20,” said Dr. Amy Rezak, a surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Division of Trauma in Boston. “Even seemingly harmless fireworks like sparklers result in serious burn injuries and account for one-third of the injuries to children under five,” she added.

NFPA is the coordinator and co-founder of the Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks, a national group of health and safety organizations that have joined together to take a stand against the use of consumer fireworks.

Massachusetts is one of only four states that bans all consumer fireworks. The others are Delaware, New Jersey and New York.

Earlier this month, NFPA released a new video explaining the dangers of consumer fireworks. This video and other video PSAs, audio interviews, statistics, safety tips and materials are available at www.nfpa.org/fireworks.

About the Alliance
NFPA, along with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), founded the Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks to warn individuals about the dangers of consumer fireworks. Other members include American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, Center for Injury Research & Policy, Emergency Nurses Association, Fire Department Safety Officers Association, International Association of Arson Investigators, International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Fire Fighters, International Fire Marshals Association, Metropolitan Fire Chiefs, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, National Association of School Nurses, National Association of State Fire Marshals, and Prevent Blindness America.

About the NFPA
NFPA has been a worldwide leader in providing fire, electrical, building, and life safety to the public since 1896. The mission of the international nonprofit organization is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.

Author: NFPA Press Release

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; this is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)