EMS: Pay Attention, Use Caution With Fireworks

As Fourth of July celebrations begin, local emergency officials urge caution and awareness when you are handling or are near fireworks.

Clay County EMS Director Andrew Hall said the most common injuries happen when people mishandle fireworks. Hall said it is important to remember that fireworks are man-made, meaning they can malfunction and explode at the wrong time or not launch properly.

“They’re mini pieces of dynamite, basically,” Hall said. “The firecrackers and stuff like that, they can cause just as much damage, you know, as any kind of explosive, especially if you mis- mishandle them. Put them in – you know, hold them, try to hold them in your hand and stuff like that. You know, I’ve heard of injuries, you know, blowing people’s fingers off and stuff, you know?”

Common injuries include getting sparks in your eyes while holding a rocket during launch, or children running around barefoot and stepping on dropped sparklers. Hall said another common injury comes from children shooting bottle rockets at each other, although he is seeing less of that specific activity over time.

He said it is also important to be aware of your surroundings when using fireworks to avoid hurting others or damaging property.

“Everybody’s got a hay field next to their house and they shoot them off in the hay field,” Hall said. “You could set the field on fire.”

Hall said major fireworks injuries that require EMS have become less common in recent years, although people still get smaller burns and injuries.

“Everybody enjoy their selves and have a good time,” Hall said. “It’s, you know, it’s a time of celebration, stuff like that. But be careful and take care of yourself and take care of others, watch out for others too.”