Monroe County Fire Rescue Reminds Residents and Visitors To Be Safe During The Fourth of July Weekend

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Fireworks are often used to mark special events and holidays, like the Fourth of July coming up this weekend. The only safe way to view fireworks is to attend a professional show, but with many professional firework shows canceled this year, it is important to know that fireworks are not safe in the hands of consumers.

Fireworks cause thousands of injuries each year. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 19,500 reported fires are started by fireworks annually. Burns account for 44 percent of the 9,100 injuries treated in emergency rooms seen around July 4. Half of the fireworks injuries seen at emergency rooms were on hands, fingers, and legs. One-third were to the eye or other parts of the head. Children ages 10–14 had the highest rate of fireworks injury, with more than one-third of the victims of fireworks injuries under age 15.

Think sparklers are safe? Sparklers account for roughly one-quarter of emergency room firework injuries.

“Please stay safe during this holiday weekend,” said RL Colina, Monroe County Fire Rescue Fire Marshal. “This is not the time to be visiting an emergency room.”

The National Fire Protection Association suggested a few ideas to get into the patriotic spirit, without fireworks:

  • Use glow sticks, they glow in the dark and are a safe alternative to a sparkler.
  • Celebrate with homemade noise makers.
  • Set up a screen and projector and have an outdoor movie night, just don’t forget the bug spray!
  • Red, white, and blue silly string.
  • Make a patriotic craft with the family.
  • Throw a birthday party for the USA and bake a festive cake.
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