Fireworks Safety for Kids

CEBU, Philippines – The New Year's Eve can be a fun time with great memories. But before your family celebrates, make sure everyone knows about fireworks safety.

If not handled properly, fireworks can cause burn and eye injuries in kids and adults. The best way to protect your family is not to use any fireworks at home - period. Attend public fireworks displays, instead, and leave the lighting to the professionals.

Lighting fireworks at home is too risky, so it's better left out in the planned activities for the New Year. But if the penchant for fireworks cannot be fully contained, the following safety tips are best to keep in mind:

• Kids should never play with fireworks. Things like firecrackers, rockets, and sparklers are just too dangerous. But if you give kids sparklers, make sure they keep them outside and away from the face, clothing, and hair. Sparklers can reach a temperature hot enough to melt gold.

• Buy only legal fireworks (legal fireworks have a label with the manufacturer's name and directions; illegal ones are unlabeled), and store them in a cool, dry place. Illegal fireworks are riskier because these had not gone through strict safety checks. These account for many fireworks injuries.

• Never try to make your own fireworks.

•Always use fireworks outside and have a bucket of water and a hose nearby in case of accidents.

• Steer clear of others - fireworks have been known to backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction. Never throw or point fireworks at someone, even in jest.

• Don't hold fireworks in your hand or have any part of your body over them while lighting. Wear some sort of eye protection, and avoid carrying fireworks in your pocket - the friction could set them off.

•Point fireworks away from homes, and keep away from brush and leaves and flammable substances. The National Fire Protection Association estimates that local fire departments respond to more 50,000 fires caused by fireworks each year.

• Light one firework at a time (not in glass or metal containers), and never relight a "dud" or firework that did not ignite the first time.

• Don't allow kids to pick up pieces of fireworks after an event. Some may still be ignited and can explode at any time.

• Soak all fireworks in a bucket of water before throwing them in the trash can.

• Think about pets. Animals have sensitive ears and can be extremely frightened or stressed on occasions like the New Year. Keep pets indoors to reduce the risk that they'll run loose or get injured.

If a child is injured by fireworks, he or she shall be immediately taken to a doctor or hospital. If an eye injury occurs, the child must not be allowed to touch or rub it, as this may cause even more damage. Also, the affected eye shall not be flushed out with water or or treated with any ointment. Instead, one may cut out the bottom of a paper cup, place it around the child's eye, and immediately seek medical attention - the child's eyesight may depend on it. If it's a burn, clothing shall be removed from the burned area and cool, not cold, water run over the burn (ice shall not be used). Then a doctor shall be sought immediately.

Fireworks are meant to be enjoyed, but these are better enjoyed with the assurance that the family enjoying it is safe. So everyone shall take extra precautions - for the New Year to be a real blast!