Prevent Fireworks' Accidents

Watermelon and a mannequin are among the tools being used to remind the public that the Fourth of July holiday is quickly approaching and everyone needs to remember to be safe, while having fun.

Many people don't realize that before you know it, a simple firecracker can become dangerous. So Hal Stratton, chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission offered a demonstration of the consequences of fireworks misuse on The Early Show.

According to the CPSC, almost 60 percent of all fireworks-related injuries occur during the month surrounding the Fourth of July.

"Our biggest safety concerns are typically kids using fireworks," Stratton told co-anchor Harry Smith. "When you put the fireworks in hands of kids, you have problems. We see a higher degree of kids getting hurt from fireworks than adults, and the other thing is illegal fireworks - most of the deaths are caused by illegal fireworks that are bigger than they ought to be."

The consequences of fireworks misuse can be severe burns, loss of eyesight, amputation, and even death.

Sparklers are very dangerous for children, Stratton noted, and to prove his point, he showed how the clothing in children-size mannequins caught on fire.

"Sparklers, which parents think are safe, can burn up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit," Stratton explained, "Sparklers are in the top three causes of injuries for kids from fireworks every year. They are very dangerous."

And just like a sparkler can set clothing on fire, so can bottle rockets. Stratton pointed out an M-80, which is illegal, can blow a person's hand off. Using a male mannequin, he demonstrated how this could happen.

"These are actual incidents," Stratton noted about the graphic demonstrations, "We're not making these up out here. That's an actual incident that occurred out in the real world."

One of the illegal fireworks and the most powerful is the M-1000, and Stratton showed how dangerous this could be by using it to blow off a watermelon.

"Very lethal, like a small piece of dynamite," Stratton says. "Yet we still see people out trying to make those. They buy kits on the Internet and illegal components; we see people die every year from that. That's what we're trying to prevent."

According to the CPSC, every year, nearly 4,000 children ages 14 and under are treated in emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries, and children 10 to 14 account for the majority of these incidents. Males, especially those ages 10 to 14, are at the highest risk of fireworks-related injuries. Children ages 4 and under are at the highest risk for sparkler-related injuries.

This does not mean that fireworks should not be used at all. Stratton says, "Relatively speaking, if they're used properly, and if they are legal under the CPSC regulations, they are safe. The problem comes when you buy illegal fireworks, when you buy them too big, or you let kids use them unsupervised. Those are the things that people using fireworks need to keep in mind."

Consumer fireworks are legal for public sale in many states. They include shells and mortars, multiple tube devices, Roman candles, rockets, sparklers, firecrackers with no more than 50 milligrams of powder, and novelty items such as snakes and airplanes. Some states may permit all or limit some types of consumer fireworks to be sold. It is important to note that states may also have local laws prohibiting or limiting the use of certain consumer fireworks.

Stratton says, "You can buy legal fireworks in a variety of places, from roadside stands to convenience stores. You know if they are legal if they have cautionary labeling, steps to use and warnings. If they are illegal, they most likely won't have any labeling."

Here are some safety tips:

• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
• Adults should always supervise fireworks activities.
• Keep a bucket of water, a garden hose or a fire extinguisher handy in case of a fire or mishap.

Fireworks that have been banned from public sale under federal law include firecrackers containing more than 50 milligrams of powder, cherry bombs, M-80s, large reloadable shells and aerial bombs. Mail-order kits designed to build these fireworks are also banned.